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DHS Suspends All Air Service Between the US and Venezuela

May 15, 2019
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2 min read
TOPSHOT-VENEZUELA-CRISIS-NATIONAL ASSEMBLY-SECURITY
DHS Suspends All Air Service Between the US and Venezuela
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Until March, American Airlines had been operating twice-daily service between Miami (MIA) and Caracas, Venezuela (CCS). Those flights had been suspended indefinitely, and the US State Department had increased its threat level to the highest level, strongly advising Americans to avoid visiting the nation.

Now, due to ongoing civil unrest, the Department of Homeland Security has taken the extraordinary step to ban all commercial and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. According to a press release: "Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan determined that conditions in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew, requiring an immediate suspension of all commercial passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. In accordance with the statute, the Secretary of State has approved flight suspension, and the Secretary of Transportation has implemented the determination."

Currently, it remains possible to book a connecting itinerary to Venezuela, as international carriers — including Panama's Copa Airlines — are still operating flights. Some European carriers are flying to the country as well, including TAP Air Portugal, with twice-weekly service on a Boeing 767 (update: operated by EuroAtlantic Airways).

While it's unclear how long this ban will remain in place, the State Department will "continue to monitor the situation," explaining that "If and when the conditions in Venezuela change, and if in the public interest, the Secretaries will revisit this determination. Until then, the flight suspension will remain in effect indefinitely."

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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