RAQUEL BARREIRO C.
EL UNIVERSAL

A likely suspension of United States and Venezuelan carriers' flights as of March 30th is to prevent some 4,000 passengers a day from traveling between the two countries.

Fernando La Riva, vice-president of the Venezuelan Travel Agencies Association (Avavit,) said if air traffic was effectively suspended between the two countries, such a move would certainly adversely affect passengers. Further, this decision would have a negative impact on hotels, transportation and imports and exports, among other sectors.

In order to avoid such a negative scenario, La Riva suggested Venezuelan authorities to extend the deadline for negotiations with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.)

Market alternatives
Since it is likely that US carriers Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines are barred in Venezuela, while American Airlines operations would be curbed, La Riva explained that most travelers have started booking flights with carriers that do not risk any flight suspension.

"People are calling us and show deep concern, as they do not know whether the flight ban will be enforced and whether they are going to loose their air tickets. Such uncertainty has undermined the sales of Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines air tickets. These are the two carriers whose flights from Venezuela are expected to be suspended. Many people have chosen to buy air tickets from other airlines that are to continue to operate despite the move, such as American Airlines flights to Miami."

Avavit vice-president added that concerns are to worsen in the event that the United States aeronautics authority decides to reply to the Venezuelan suspension by preventing Venezuelan carriers from flying to the United States.

"That would be a very serious situation, as people would be forced to travel to US by flying to Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica or the Caribbean islands. But airlines in those countries do not have enough seats."

If the flight ban is implemented, tourism in Holy Week would be seriously harmed.

"Air ticket sales for this holiday have been very high. People purchased air tickets for the US, but now they do not know whether they will travel or not. Alternatives are very hard to find. If travelers chose to travel to Bogotá, for example, and then to the United States, they do not know whether they will find seats."

The likely flight ban is also to hit business travelers.

Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organization is meeting next week in Montreal. Aeronautics authorities from all around the world are to take part in this even, and Venezuela and US are expected to approach to solve this issue.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.