At least five international airlines have taken the decision to adjust flights to Venezuela as the security situation in the country continues to worsen. Spain’s Iberia, Colombia’s Avianca and Chile’s LATAM Airlines have all joined the growing list of carriers that have adjusted their operations to Venezuela.

As this publication reported last week, TAP Air Portugal and Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes modified their operations to the country. Both added a technical stopover such that their crew would not stay overnight in Venezuela.

The two companies have now officially put a stop to their flights to Caracas, bringing the total number of international airlines to suspend service to the country to at least five.

Only Iberia has suspended flights indefinitely, though all other carriers are evaluating the situation.

FAA warns pilots of a “hazardous situation”

At least five airlines have now suspended flights to Venezuela as the security situation continues to worsen. This comes as US President Donald Trump continues his crackdown on illegal drug transportation which he has said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has helped supply.

On Saturday, Reuters reported that the White House was preparing to launch a new phase of its operation against Venezuela, which could include covert operations and a possible attempt to overthrow the Maduro government. Political instability, while never good for airlines from a commercial perspective, could have an impact on passenger safety.

In a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region in and around Venezuela known as the Maiquetía Flight Information Region.

“Operators are advised to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR) at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela,” the government body said on Friday. “Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival, and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground.”

Several airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela

The situation is evolving rapidly and not all airlines have issued statements concerning their plans for flights to Venezuela. Inevitably, more and more airlines are cancelling service in light of security concerns.

From an operational perspective, flying to the country is becoming more of a challenge. Should aircraft be grounded in Caracas, that would represent a considerable capacity constraint. The following airlines have made changes, though this list is subject to change.

LATAM is maintaining its flights to Cúcuta, located in the far West of the country by the Venezuela-Colombia border.

Featured image: Lukas Wunderlich | stock.adobe.com

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