“On an exceptional basis, only commercial air operations are authorised for the transport of passengers between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the countries of Turkey, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Russia, Cuba, Spain and Portugal,” reads a statement released today by the Venezuelan Civil Aeronautics Institute (INAC).

The document recalls that “restrictions on commercial, general and private aviation operations continue” with a connection to Venezuela, as part of the Executive's guidelines to guarantee the health of citizens and mitigate the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

“We appeal to air explorers and travel agents not to sell tickets for routes other than those approved (…) and we thank citizens in general for not purchasing air tickets for routes other than those authorized”, underlines the statement.

The decision of the Government of Venezuela surprised Portuguese-Venezuelan businessmen and travel agents who are waiting for the date and conditions for the resumption of flights.