“TAP has been flying to Venezuela for nearly 50 years and wishes to continue serving the community and the national diaspora in that region. However, it cannot do so at the moment due to a lack of safety conditions, imposed by both its internal standards and by ANAC [National Civil Aviation Authority],” the airline stated in a written response sent to Lusa.
The Venezuelan government followed through on its threat and revoked the operating licenses of several international airlines, including TAP, accusing them of “joining acts of terrorism” promoted by the USA.
Hours after the deadline set by Venezuelan authorities for the airlines, the country’s Ministry of Transport and the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced on Wednesday the decision, affecting Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, reacted today, stating that the “Government of Portugal does not yield to threats, ultimatums, or pressures of any kind,” in a social media post, accompanied by an image related to the revocation of TAP’s license by Venezuela and another regarding Ryanair’s threat to leave the Azores starting in March.
“In civil aviation matters, as in all strategic areas, Portugal respects international rules, best safety practices, and coordination with competent aeronautical authorities,” reads the publication by Miguel Pinto Luz.
The minister further emphasized that Portugal “is a free, sovereign, and responsible country” and that the Government will act “always with calm, firmness, and a sense of the State.”
Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol had canceled flights to and from Caracas after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended last Friday that commercial airlines “exercise extreme caution” when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean due to what it considers “a potentially dangerous situation in the region.”
Shortly before the announcement, the Venezuelan Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, reiterated that the country’s government “decides who flies and who does not fly” and “reserves the right of admission.”
“The national government, with a sovereign decision, told the airlines: if you do not resume flights within 48 hours, do not resume them at all. You can keep your planes, and we will maintain our dignity, and that’s it, no problem,” he declared.
