Venezuela Cuts Flights Of American, Continental, Delta Airlines

Venezuela will slash the number of flights of U.S. airlines to the South American country effective Sept. 28. The National Civil Aviation Institute (NCAI) informed American, Continental and Delta Air Lines of the decision on Thursday. The move will balance the number of flights by U.S. and Venezuelan airlines between the two countries, NCAI president Jose Martinez Bravo said without specifying how many flights will be cut. NCAI's decision followed a warning issued by U.S. aviation officials to American travelers that safe air travel to Venezuela is doubtful. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration based its warning on NCAI's refusal to allow inspection of the security system of Venezuela's airports. Martinez denied blocking U.S. aviation inspectors from assessing local airport security but said the TSA is not responsible for such activity in foreign soil.