Questioned by the EFE agency, the IATA recalled that airlines received a warning from the Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) with an order to resume flights within a maximum period of 48 hours, stating that this order “mainly affects the airlines that had already announced temporary suspension,” it indicated.
Among the airlines that suspended their flights after the US urged “extreme caution” when flying over Venezuelan territory and the southern Caribbean are the Spanish airlines Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra, as well as TAP, Avianca, Latam, Turkish Airlines, and GOL, all members of IATA.
“We emphasize that member airlines remain committed to restoring operations as soon as conditions permit,” said a spokesperson for the association.
The day before, IATA warned Venezuelan authorities that the order given to airlines could further reduce connectivity with the country, which is already low compared to others in the region.
The association emphasized that flight suspensions are “temporary measures, adopted after rigorous risk analysis to ensure the safety of passengers, crews, and aircraft.”
TAP announced the cancellation of Saturday and today’s flights to Venezuela, following information from US aeronautical authorities about the security situation in the country’s airspace, the company indicated.
In a note sent to the Lusa agency on Saturday, TAP explains that the decision “stems from information issued by the United States aeronautical authorities, indicating that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace, particularly in the Maquetia flight information region, are not guaranteed.”
Since August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the area, notably with half a dozen warships, officially to combat drug trafficking destined for the United States.
In recent weeks, the United States has carried out about 20 air strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific against vessels they accuse—without presenting evidence—of transporting drugs, causing a total of 76 casualties.
Venezuela accuses Washington of using the pretext of drug trafficking “to impose a regime change” in Caracas and seize its oil.
