Venezuelan Authority Asks International Airlines To Continue Flights Or Risk Of Loss Of Permit

Illustration of activity at Simon Boliva International Airport Venezuela. (Wikimedia Commons/Carlos e. Alvarado C...)

Venezuelan aviation authorities on Monday notified international airlines they should resume flights to the country within 48 hours or risk losing their flight permits there, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.

Several international airlines canceled their flights departing from Venezuela in recent days, after the United States Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) warned major airlines of "potentially dangerous situation" when flying over the country.

IATA, which represents about 350 airlines, criticized Venezuelan authorities' move, warning the decision "would further reduce connectivity to the country, which has become one of the least connected in the region," Al Arabiya told Reuters November 25.

Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters was unable to immediately reach the national aviation agency for comment.

Earlier on Monday, Spanish airline Air Europa said it would suspend five weekly flights between Madrid and Caracas "until conditions allow" to resume. Meanwhile, the Plus Ultra airline also announced the suspension of flights on the same route, Spanish media reported.

Over the weekend, Spain's IAG airline Iberia has also suspended its flights to Venezuela, joining other airlines such as Goals from Brazil, Avianca from Colombia and TAP Air Portugal.

An Iberian spokesman said on Monday the suspension would last until at least December 1, while Gol said its flights Tuesday and Wednesday to Caracas were canceled. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines canceled flights until Friday.

Last Friday, the US FAA warned of "an deteriorating security situation and increased military activity inside or around Venezuela", saying the threat could pose a risk to aircraft at all altitudes.

There has been a massive American military buildup in the region in recent months, including the US Navy's largest aircraft carrier, at least eight other warships to F-35 fighter jets.