Several international airlines cancel their flights from Venezuela after US warning

Three international airlines canceled their flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday, the day after the US Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over the country.

Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca and TAP Air Portugal canceled their flights departing from Caracas on Saturday, according to Flightradar24 and the official website of Simon BolivarMaiquetia International Airport.

Aeronautica Civil de Colombia said in a statement there were “potential risks” of flying in the Maiquetia area “due to the deterioration of security conditions and increased military activity in the region.”

TAP Air Portugal confirmed it cancelled its flights scheduled for Saturday and next Tuesday. “This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed,” the company told Reuters.

Spain’s Iberia also said it was canceling their flights to Caracas from Monday until further notice. The Spanish company’s flight scheduled on Saturday to Madrid from Venezuela’s capital departed.