The National Institute of Civil Aeronautics, Inac, of Venezuela reported Wednesday night that it was revoking the concession to operate in the country to a group of six airlines from Europe, Turkey, Colombia and Brazilafter flights did not resume within the 48-hour period requested by the Venezuelan authority.
Several international airlines canceled their flights in Venezuela over the weekend after the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, of the United States warned major airlines last Friday about a “potentially dangerous situation” when flying over the country.
The Venezuelan aeronautical authority on its Instagram account said Wednesday night that revoked the concession to the Spanish Iberia, the Portuguese TAP, the Turkish Turkish Airlines, the Brazilian Gol, the Colombian Avianca as well as Latam Airlines Colombia.
Inac said in a statement that the airlines, for “join the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government” they “unilaterally suspended their operations” to and from Venezuela.
The FAA warned last week about the “deterioration of the security situation and increased military activity in or around Venezuela” and noted that the threats could pose risks to aircraft at any altitude.
The US has maintained a vast military deployment in Caribbean waters since September, under the argument that it is fighting against drug trafficking, but Venezuela maintains that it is to achieve a change of government. The US military presence in the region includes the Navy’s largest aircraft carriers, at least eight other warships and F-35 aircraft.
The International Air Transport Association, Iata, reported on Monday in a statement that the Venezuelan authorities had given a period of 48 hours for the resumption of flightsand if this was not fulfilled, they risked losing their rights to fly to the country, a measure that would further reduce connectivity to the Caribbean nation.
Beria stated that he wanted to resume his flights to Venezuela as soon as all safety conditions were met. Air Europa and Plus Ultra suspended their flights, but their permits were not revoked.
The Minister of Infrastructure of Portugal, Miguel Pinto Luz, said in his X account that his government “does not give in to threats, ultimatums or pressure of any kind” and that the decisions of the Portuguese authorities “they are guided exclusively by the higher national interest and the unwavering defense of the security of the Portuguese throughout the world.”
In Venezuela, airlines still maintain their operations, iCopa and Wingo international airlines as well as national lines that fly to Colombia, Panama and Curacao.
