The airlines reported that they remain in permanent communication with the United States Federal Aviation Administration and ask their users to stay informed through their official channels. So far, only four international airlines are active: Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación and Satena
The Panamanian airline Copa Airlines and the Colombian Wingo reported this November 29 that they maintain their flight operations to Venezuela, despite the warning issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration about the “potential risk” and the call of President Donald Trump himself to consider Venezuelan airspace “completely closed.”
In the case of Copa Airlines, the EFE agency reported that the company maintains its operations open but “with high levels of alert and caution, only during daytime hours.”
Through a statement, the airline reported that it remains “in permanent communication with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has reiterated that it has not modified its official alert level or regulatory position.” Likewise, he recommended that passengers stay informed through the company’s official channels.
In the case of the Colombian airline, a company source told EFE that “Wingo maintains its operation between Colombia and Venezuela, given that we have not received official notification, through formal channels, about restrictions or closure of Venezuelan airspace.”
“We continue to constantly monitor the safety of that airspace, in coordination with local and international authorities, and if conditions change we will immediately adjust our operation,” the information added.
*Read also: Maiquetía remains almost empty and silent after the cancellation of international flights
The US alert
On November 21, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to air operators about potential risks when flying in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), due to the “worsening security situation and increased military activity in or around Venezuela.”
The body urged commercial airlines and pilots to exercise extreme caution at all altitudes, as they consider that they can “represent a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, arrivals or departures and with planes on the ground.”
For his part, the US president warned this Saturday the 29th that airlines and pilots must take into account that Venezuelan airspace “will remain closed in its entirety.”
Following the FAA warning, at least 11 airlines suspended their flights to and from Venezuela. Subsequently, the administration of Nicolás Maduro revoked the concession from six of them, after not complying with the deadline given by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) to resume their operations.
The airlines affected by the measure are: Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España SA, Transportes Aéreos Portugueses SA (TAP Portugal), Aerovías del Continente Americano SA (Avianca), Aerovías de Integración Regional SA (Latam Airlines Colombia), Turkish Airlines and GOL Linhas Aereas SA
For the moment, Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación and Satena, as well as the local companies Avior and Conviasa (state) maintain their operations in the South American nation.
With information from the EFE agency
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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