The Venezuelan government’s decision to revoke the flight concession of several international airlines, including Iberia, is another step that exacerbates air instability in the country. Connectivity has been in trouble for years because it is a system that does not provide continuity guarantees for airlines.
Initially, Venezuela carried out its threat. He gave a 48-hour deadline to airlines that suspended their flights In the country after the recommendation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they started operating again.
By failing to do so, his overfly rights were withdrawn Iberia, TAP Air, Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Turkish Airlines and GOLAccording to Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The movement that is pressure. “Venezuela wants to force the airlines to return,” he told this newspaper. Jorge Martinez Gray, Secretary of the CIPLA Pilots Union.
“So, right now, everything looks like another operational threat,” he adds. The problem is that airlines can’t afford to take any risks. What matters is security. Venezuela guarantees it, but the United States does not.
Roma Andrew, a professor at EAE Business School, recalls that there was a notice called NOTAM (Notice to pilots) which determines the danger of flying in that area.
Airlines can ignore the warning, but if there is an accident or incident, the airline will be liable.
Therefore, in light of the recommendations, the airlines maintained their decision not to fly in the FIR in Maiquetía, which is Airspace under the jurisdiction of Venezuela.
However, Venezuela has not revoked flight privileges from all airlines that have suspended flights. I’ve left out some companies, like Air Europe or Plus Ultra. because?
Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro during a rally in Caracas this week.
Reuters
“It is a commercial game that generates a war between the airlines themselves.” They point out from Cipla.
This means that allowing some to fly when they decide to return and not allowing others can generate a certain war between them. All this regardless of whether they are able to negotiate with the country’s government or not.
Insecurity
Moreover, Jorge Martinez explains that it is also “Legal insecurity” is created.
“Venezuela cannot revoke the privileges because they are aviation rights that the airlines pay for,” he says.
This is in theory, however Minister of the Interior of Venezuela, Diosdado poetryHe pointed out that the country’s government is the one that “decides who travels and who does not” and “reserves the right of admission.”
For this reason, the airlines sanctioned by Venezuela, when they want to return to the country, do not have a clear idea of how to do so.
isolation
Whether it’s because of a threat or a business strategy, the truth is Venezuela’s decision generates greater international isolation.
International Air Transport Association, The association, which includes a large part of airlines around the world, has previously warned of the negative effects of removing aviation rights.
“This decision will reduce connectivity to the country, which is already one of the least connected countries in the region.” They pointed out.
This is because some airlines have stopped operating in Venezuela for many years due to ongoing instability.
However, the government is striving to ensure “there is no danger in Venezuelan airspace.”
somehow Trying to avoid that feeling of atmospheric isolation that the United States seeks to create, They explain from Cipla.
In fact, they reinforced this idea afterwards A US plane carrying 175 deported migrants is scheduled to land this week at Venezuela’s main airport, Simon Bolivar International Airport.
Currently, Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación and Satena – which only fly to destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean – as well as local companies Avior and Conviasa (the state) maintain operations in the country.
December 1
The big question is what will happen on December 1st. Until that date, most airlines had suspended their operations.
For the part that is their role The Spanish companies involved – Iberia, Air Europa and Plus Ultra – will continue to “monitor” the situation To find out when they can return to the country.
But this is, always, with the safety of its passengers and crew first.
Their flights were suspended until next Monday, affecting more than 8,000 passengers.
Then we will see if they can return and, in the case of Iberia, what happens with the canceled flight rights.
It should be remembered that the Venezuelan company Laser, which operates flights between Madrid and Caracas on weekdays when Plus Ultra does not fly, has also canceled its flights until December 1st. The Venezuelan company Estelar, which operates Iberojet aircraft (from the Avoris group), did the same.