Washington, – American Airlines today announced its decision to suspend “indefinitely” its flights between the US. and Venezuela, which had already interrupted temporarily since March 15, alleging “security reasons”.
“We have taken the difficult decision to indefinitely suspend service to Venezuela,” the company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, said in a statement, and explained that the measure is effective immediately.
American Airlines, which flew from Miami to Caracas and the city of Maracaibo, argued that since March 15, when it announced the temporary suspension of operations to the oil country, it was working to restore service.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and also work with the members of our team, union leaders and other key stakeholders to restart services when the conditions are right,” the airline said, although he indicated that “right now” they have not set a time frame.
For the airline, which has operated for more than 30 years in Venezuela, “this was a difficult decision” not only because of its long history in that country, but also because of the more than 70 members of its team who “live and work” there.
“We are working closely with the team to assist him during this difficult time and look for other opportunities,” the statement added.
The measure of March 15 was released shortly after the American Airlines pilot union recommended its affiliates not to travel to Venezuela after Washington reported that all of its diplomats had left the Caribbean country.
“Until next warning, if they are assigned or reassigned links with Venezuela, reject the order,” said the Allied Pilots Association at that time, representing about 15,000 pilots of the company in a statement released by local media.
American Airlines was the only major US airline that kept its flights to Venezuela from Miami, after United and Delta suspended service in 2017.
On January 23, the government of Nicolás Maduro broke diplomatic relations with the United States. and gave 72 hours for diplomatic personnel to leave the country.
Maduro spoke after the White House recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who proclaimed that day President in charge of Venezuela, a decision which has been endorsed by more than 50 countries. (EFEUSA).
