Days after Venezuela issued an ultimatum to international airlines requiring them to resume service or lose the right to fly, the country has followed through with that threat.
The National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) of Venezuela revoked concessions to six international airlines following the suspension of flights to Venezuela.
It was made official in the Official Gazette No. 43,264 of November 26, as reported by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC).
Iberia, TAP Portugal, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Airlines, and Gol. They had until Wednesday, November 26, to resume operations.
Hours after the deadline granted by the Venezuelan authorities to the airlines expired, the Ministry of Transport and the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced a decision, which affects six carriers.
The Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil Venezuela (INAC) has confirmed that concessions had been revoked for six airlines: Iberia, TAP Portugal, avianca, LATAM Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and GOL Airlines.
As per media in Venezuela, these Airlines had stopped flying to and from Caracas after last Friday the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urged commercial airlines to "exercise extreme caution" when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean in the face of what it considers "a potentially dangerous situation in the region."
However, the full extent of this revocation, which would isolate Venezuela and limit its air connectivity at a time as crucial for transport as Christmas, remains to be seen.
INAC says rights were revoked because the airlines joined the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government when they suspended flights to and from the country.
Local carrier Caribbean Airlines was not named on the list. The notice was published in the Official Gazette No. 43264 of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
In a post on the Instagram platform, INAC points out that these airlines unilaterally suspended their commercial air operations to and from Venezuela.
At least 6,000 passengers who were scheduled to travel between Madrid and Caracas during these days have been affected by flight cancellations with the Iberia, Plus Ultra and Air Europa airlines. To date, none of the mentioned airlines nor the governments of the involved countries have issued an official statement regarding the decision.
Shortly before the announcement, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello recalled that the country's government is the one who "decides who flies and who does not" and "reserves the right of admission."
With this development, just a handful of carriers will be operating in Venezuela including Panama-based COPA Airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that this decision will further reduce connectivity to a country that is already one of the least connected in the region.
Last Friday the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising pilots to exercise caution while operating in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR).
The NOTAM specifically warned pilots to exercise caution at all altitudes, including during overflight, as well as during the arrival and departure phases of flight. The advisory says this is due to the “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela”.
The advisory led to several airlines cancelling flights to/from Venezuela and suspending operations citing safety concerns.
.jpg)
