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U.S. flights resuming between United States and Venezuela
Service had been suspended over safety concerns
August 8, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 p.m. EDTCARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- U.S. air carriers were to resume service Thursday night between Venezuela and the United States, while both countries tried to reach an agreement on airline safety measures, the Venezuelan transportation minister told CNN Spanish.
Most flights between the two countries were grounded Wednesday by the Venezuelan government, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. At least eight flights bound for Miami or New York from Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas were canceled on Thursday.
Neither government clearly explained why the flights were canceled, but it appeared to come in retaliation for recent U.S. Federal Aviation Administration findings that Venezuela must tighten its airline safety procedures.
The United States has been considering downgrading Venezuela's airlines from Category II to Category III, banning the air carriers from the United States until they meet international safety standards.
FAA and Venezuelan officials have disagreed on corrective measures. On Thursday, Venezuelan Transportation Minister Moises Orozco Graterol met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena; Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of state for interamerican affairs; and FAA officials.
"The negotiations are making headway," Orozco said. He said Venezuela expects to reach an agreement with U.S. officials no later than Friday to avoid slipping into Category III. The United States downgraded Venezuelan airlines to Category II in June.
Grounded
U.S. aviation officials this week delayed or suspended flights from the United States to Caracas by several Venezuela carriers, including Avensa-ServiVensa and Zuliana de Aviacion.
Two Viasa flights from Miami touched down more than five hours late Wednesday night. The newspaper El Nacional reported Wednesday that the FAA is considering a ban on all flights by Venezuela carriers.
The Venezuelan government barred two American Airlines flights from taking off for Miami on Wednesday. Eventually, the planes were allowed to leave empty. Four American Airlines flights Thursday to Miami and New York were canceled, as were two United flights and two Viasa flights.
About 370 passengers were stranded in Venezuela, including 185 internationals who were put up at hotels, American Airlines spokeswoman Andreas Rader said from the company's headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. She said American Airlines was making arrangements to fly them out on other carriers.
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