- Title: Avianca suspends flights to Venezuela due to operational, security issues
- Date: 27th July 2017
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (FILE) (REUTERS) AVIANCA PLANE TAXIING ON RUNWAY BEHIND WINDOW WITH "AVIANCA" PLASTERED ALL OVER IT AVIANCA PLANE TAXIING ON RUNWAY VARIOUS OF AVIANCA PLANES AT THEIR GATES AVIANCA PLANE ON RUNWAY
- Embargoed: 10th August 2017 17:16
- Keywords: commercial carrier Bogota-Caracas-Bogota Lima-Caracas-Lima daily flights
- Location: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA AND CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND INTERNET
- City: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA AND CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND INTERNET
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016RHUTZ7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Avianca said on Wednesday (July 26) it will suspend flights to and from Venezuela beginning on Aug. 16, amid operational and security difficulties, the latest commercial carrier to pull out of the crisis-hit socialist country.
The Colombian airline will cancel its Bogota-Caracas-Bogota and Lima-Caracas-Lima routes, a total of three daily flights, beginning Aug. 16, it said in a statement. Customers who have already bought tickets for after that date will be fully reimbursed.
The Colombian flagship carrier is the latest airline to leave the country, further isolating Venezuelans amid widespread unrest and protests. Companies have cited everything from payment disputes to safety concerns. United canceled its services to the country in June. Lufthansa and Air Canada have also pulled out.
"Avianca will examine this decision after it learns the results of technical work conducted by authorities of both countries to resolve these operational and security impediments," the statement said.
The decision followed a meeting in Bogota with aviation authorities, the company said, adding it has informed both the Colombian and Venezuelan governments. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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