Airlines stop flights to Venezuela
A multi-billion dollar debt from Venezuela is forcing airlines to suspend service. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

First Columbia has decided to reduce itinearies by more than two-thirds. Then Air Canada suspended all of its flights to Venezuala. Within the past year, 11 airlines have cut flights or stop flying to the South American country altogether and there may be more to come.
Airlines are faced with a very difficult decision, do they continue flying when at the moment that they are not being paid? Can they afford to do that, if so, how long can they afford to do that?
The International Air Transport Association CEO estimates that as of mid-March, Venezuela owns international airline about 3.7 billion dollars.
What's needed is for the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible and for the airlines to be able to receive their money. This is their money they are talking about, this is not the government's money.
The International Air Transport Association has been hearing complaints for months, airlines have been unable to access money earned in tickets sale in Venezuala. The problem, tight currency controls have lowered the amount of dollars available for international transactions, affecting airlines and other businesses.
President Nickle is in B.
Airlines have no excuse to reduce flights to Venezula. I will take severe measures against any airlines that does so. If airline chooses to leave the country, it won't come back as long as all the government. It will have to us. They won't return. I'm telling this to the owners of international airlines.
His transportation minister says travellers including Canadians will still have plenty of options.
Canadians will still keep on flying to Venezuala, I'm sure of that. Venezuala is a very safe country with excellent tourism alternatives like M island. But some travellers mayhave second thoughts in announcing its to suspend flights. Air Canada expresses concerns about the recent ongoing civil unrest in Venezuela, situation that made detered people from flying to the South American country.