The Ministry of Transport told EFE that the suspension of flights with Panama, the Dominican Republic and Peru “never had an expiration date”, so the measure “remains in force”. Of the 181 international flights that operated each week, 83 remain; so the international air connection dropped to 53%
The suspension of commercial flights between Venezuela and Panama, the Dominican Republic and Peru, in effect since July 31, is a “political” measure with which the oil-producing country has reduced its international connectivity by 54%, according to the Venezuelan Airline Association (ALAV).
Of the 181 international flights per week that existed before the measure, 83 remain; That is, 98 fewer, which is equivalent to about 15,000 weekly seats that are no longer available, he told EFE the president of the association, Marisela de Loaiza.
“We have lost more than half of our international connectivity,” said the union leader, who says she does not understand the reason for this measure, which – she warned – has repercussions not only on tourism, but also on the economy.
On July 29, the Executive announced the “temporary suspension” in rejection of “the interference of right-wing governments” in the presidential elections of the 28th, in which Nicolás Maduro obtained a controversial re-election that was considered fraudulent by the majority opposition and questioned by a large part of the international community, which demands the publication of the disaggregated results.
The Ministry of Transport “reserves the right to take legal action, in firm support of the political decisions of the State, in order to respect, preserve and defend the inalienable right of self-determination of the people,” the institution said in a statement issued after the expulsion of the diplomatic corps of the three countries, as well as Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay. for his “interference-making actions and statements” regarding the elections.
Although the media recently reported an alleged extension of the measure until September 30, the Ministry of Transport clarified to EFE that the suspension “remains in force” because “it never had an expiration date.”
The connection with these three countries was of great importance for Venezuela due to its still low supply of direct international flights, despite the fact that its connectivity with the world improved after the coronavirus pandemic, which meant another blow to a sector that was already suffering the consequences of the economic crisis that began in 2014.
Venezuela had a total of 352 international weekly frequencies in 2013, the “moment of greatest boom due to access to foreign currency”, a figure that was reduced in six years to “only 100” in 2019, due to the “gradual withdrawal of airlines” due to “the impossibility of repatriating funds to their countries of origin”, as well as “the fall of the market”, according to ALAV.
As a result, Panama, for example, became the bridge to several cities in the United States, said De Loaiza, who also pointed out that Peru connects with South American countries, and the options left after the suspension – he said – are not enough to meet demand. “Many people had to cancel travel plans or look for alternatives,” he said.
This is the case of Daniela, a twenty-something who traveled to the United States in June and was scheduled to return to Caracas on August 10, on a flight that would pass through Panama, but which was canceled, according to the airline, which offers, according to the young woman, the option of flying to another country that still has a connection with Venezuela, including Colombia.
While his stay in the North American country is extended, he is evaluating how to return to his country, whose situation also worries him, he explained to EFE.
The suspension also affects Venezuelan airports, who “stop receiving” income without these operations, which connected several cities in the country, in addition to Caracas, with the world, through Panama, explained the head of ALAV.
“It is a political measure that, in reality, does not benefit anyone,” said De Loaiza, also president of Conseturismo, who also warns that the suspension affects the arrival of international tourists to Venezuela, where this sector, which was “hard hit” by the pandemic, “was beginning to recover.”
He therefore called for this measure to be reconsidered, although he warned that recovering what Venezuela had before the suspension will not be easy. “It is not that the planes are stopped waiting for Venezuela to open, those planes are going to other routes,” he added.
On the other hand, the interruption of the connection with Spain – Venezuela’s direct bridge to Europe – is a possibility, after the President of Parliament, the Chavista Jorge Rodríguez, requested on Wednesday that a resolution be drawn up urging the Government to break diplomatic and commercial relations, and that “flights cease” between both nations “on Spanish airlines.”
This announcement was made after the Spanish Congress approved recognizing Edmundo González Urrutia –exiled in the European country– as president-elect, which was described as “the most brutal outrage” by Spain against Venezuela.
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