Venezuela has reduced the number of international flights from 105 to 79 per week following the revocation of licenses for several airlines including Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Latam Colombia, and Gol, according to data compiled by the Spanish agency EFE from private sector sources.
A private sector source informed EFE that Venezuela has lost nearly “all connectivity” with Europe.
This decision remains in effect despite the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 300 airlines worldwide, urging reconsideration.
The destinations that officially remain active include Mexico (Santa Lucia and Cancún), Colombia (Bogotá), Panama, Peru (Lima), and Cuba (Havana).
The Venezuelan state airline Conviasa also offers flights to China (Guangzhou), Russia (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), and Cuba (Varadero), as listed on their official website.
Wingo, Satena, Copa, and Boliviana de Aviación continue their operations, and local airlines Rutaca, Laser, Estelar, and Venezolana de Aviación offer international flights.
The revocation of operating licenses for Air Europa and the Spanish Plus Ultra, which also canceled flights, has not yet been confirmed.
Under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the United States has maintained a naval and air detachment in Caribbean waters near Venezuela since September.
On November 21, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised “extreme caution” when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean due to what it described as a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.
Several airlines, including TAP, have suspended their flights to the country.
The Venezuelan government fulfilled its threat and revoked the operating licenses of TAP, Iberia, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol, accusing them of joining the “terrorism acts” promoted by the United States.
