Venezuela

[island_sands]

Venezuela cuts US airline flights

Continental Airlines flights from Houston are likely to be affected
Venezuela is cutting flights by US airlines as relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate.

From 1 March, flights by Delta and Continental Airlines will be cut by up to 70%, and American Airlines flights will also be affected, officials say.

They accuse the US - which imposed a similar ban on Venezuela 10 years ago - of failing to give Venezuelan carriers equal access to American soil.

Relations between the two countries have long been strained.

They have hit new lows in recent weeks after a tit-for-tat expulsion row over allegations of spying, and a fierce exchange of words between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Safety issue

Continental Airlines has been running a daily service from Venezuela to Houston, and weekly flights to New York. Delta Airlines currently flies daily to Atlanta, and American Airlines to Puerto Rico and Miami.

Venezuela's National Aviation Institute said in a statement: "We have exhausted all avenues with the US aeronautical authority.

"We have been forced to reduce the frequency of flights of US airline companies from the US."

The institute accused the US aviation authorities of failing "to give Venezuelan airlines the rights they deserve under bilateral agreements".

The US Federal Aviation Administration restricted Venezuelan carriers into the US in 1996 ruling that their airline safety procedures needed to be tightened.

Venezuelan officials say their safety standards have improved since then.

[Asturven]

HI Sara,

Yes there are a big problem with this decision of the Venezuelan goverment. The cut will start next wednesday and the meeting to try to fix the problem will be next Friday, so at least for three day Continental, Delta and the 30% of the American flights will be cancelled.

I have my ticket from Houston to caracas for March 10, I hope that they fix it by that day.

Cheers

Ivan

[island_sands]

Oops really? Sorry to hear that were you going on business or diving?

[Asturven]

No I am going to visit my parents and for some Yellowfin Tuna and Blue Marlin action.

Other problem is that the main Highway to go to Caracas from the International Airport has a broken bridge since three months, so now takes almost 2 hours to drive the normal 20 minutes trip.

Well that is part of the beauty of going back to te new Chavez Venezuela.

How is eaverything in Dubai?

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by Asturven

No I am going to visit my parents and for some Yellowfin Tuna and Blue Marlin action.

Other problem is that the main Highway to go to Caracas from the International Airport has a broken bridge since three months, so now takes almost 2 hours to drive the normal 20 minutes trip.

Well that is part of the beauty of going back to te new Chavez Venezuela.

How is eaverything in Dubai?

well after the rain we had last week.. it's a mess! sludge everywhere, still a few slippery roads and i still haven't washed my car yet as i am not convinced it's over.. and also with all the puddles and stuff still it's going to get dirty anyway. There is NO drainage in this city! The water was pouring into the elevator of our building and also the stairwell.

It was an opportunity for the construction scientists to test the quality of their work up to now... showing as dismal!

[Asturven]

Sorry to hear that!!!!!!!

[island_sands]

Venezuela flight ban is postponed

CARACAS - Venezuelan authorities have delayed a ban on flights by most U.S. airlines to the South American country until March 30 to allow talks with carriers on the restrictions.

Venezuela's National Aviation Institute said in a weekend statement on its website that the measure was pushed back for a month after the airlines protested the sudden announcement.

The postponement ''will allow communication channels to be established between the competent authorities in order to guarantee equal opportunities in air operations for both Venezuelan and North American airlines,'' the aviation authority said.

First announced on Thursday, the ban would have prohibited flights starting March 1 by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and restricted flights by American Airlines, the other major U.S. carrier serving Venezuela.

The institute said government authorities met with representatives from the airlines on Friday to discuss the action, which was taken in response to a similar ban by U.S. authorities 10 years ago.

The Federal Aviation Administration restricted some flights by Venezuelan carriers to the U.S. in 1996 because it said the country didn't meet international safety standards.

Venezuelan officials say that since then they have made safety improvements.

[Asturven]

Thanks Sara,

I already received that info this morning, well at least we have one more month.

Cheers

Ivan