MADRID: Spain’s carrier Air Europa on Monday suspended its flights to and from Venezuela, joining a growing list of airlines after the US Federal Aviation Administration warned of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over the country.
The five weekly Air Europa flights between Madrid and Caracas will be suspended from Tuesday “until conditions allow” for their resumption, a company spokesperson told Reuters, declining to elaborate.
Spanish media reported late on Monday that airline Plus Ultra also decided to suspend its Madrid-Caracas flights.
Last weekend, IAG’s Spanish carrier Iberia said it was suspending its Venezuelan flights as well, joining other airlines such as Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca and TAP Air Portugal.
An Iberia spokesperson said on Monday the suspension would last until at least December 1.
On Friday, the US FAA warned about the “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela” and said threats could pose risks for aircraft at all altitudes.
There has been a massive American military buildup in the region in recent months, including the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, at least eight other warships, and F-35 aircraft.