The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a statement regarding the suspension of flights between Colombia and Venezuela.
This Monday, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the suspension of flights from Colombia to Venezuela. "We have given instructions to suspend all flights from Colombia to our country," said the Venezuelan Interior Minister.
According to Cabello, this measure is in response to an alleged plan being developed from Colombia to destabilize his country. "We have uncovered a new conspiracy and terrorist plot. We have captured a group of Venezuelans returning to the country with explosive devices called electric detonators," Cabello said.
Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior of Venezuela Photo: Ministry of the Interior Press
According to the minister, 38 people have been arrested, 17 of whom are foreigners. This group includes bomb disposal experts, coyotes, and mercenaries. Cabello said the idea behind these plans was to "sabotage next Sunday's elections."
IATA issues a statement on Venezuela's decision In this regard, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in accordance with its announcement made yesterday, recommended that passengers affected by this measure remain in direct contact with their respective airlines through official communication channels.
"This is to provide updated information on the alternatives airlines are offering impacted customers—such as flight rescheduling, refund policies, and other flexible options—as appropriate in each case. IATA will continue to closely monitor the development of this situation, which is beyond the control of the airlines ," the association stated.
The decision affects the operations of several routes to and from Colombia. Photo: Courtesy of OPAIN
Given this situation, Avianca has activated a protection plan for customers who have purchased tickets through May 19, 2025, and who have confirmed reservations between May 20 and 25, 2025, with the following options:
- Refund request before June 30, 2025, through the purchase channel and according to the payment method used at the time of purchase.
- Changes to your itinerary, at no additional cost, allow you to fly up to 8 days before or up to 30 days after your initial flight date, subject to availability.
- The itinerary adjustment includes the possibility of making the trip via Cúcuta.
To make changes to their itinerary, customers can do so through avianca.com, the mobile app, the Contact Center, sales offices, airports, and travel agencies for tickets purchased through this channel.
Avianca operates the Bogotá-Caracas route. Photo: iStock
For its part, Wingo Airlines, in compliance with the Venezuelan authorities' decision to temporarily suspend flights between Colombia and Venezuela, announced that it will not be able to operate scheduled flights on the Bogotá-Caracas and Medellín-Caracas routes for one week.
"This suspension applies to flights scheduled between Tuesday, May 20, and Monday, May 26, 2025. The airline will be contacting passengers affected by this decision, which is beyond its control, to offer them protection options," Wingo said in a statement.
As explained, travelers will have the option to choose from the following alternatives:
- Change of date, without penalty or fare difference, so you can resume your itinerary within 30 days of your original itinerary.
- 100% refund of the ticket value using a Wingo voucher or the original payment method.
"The airline will address travelers' needs through its service channels," they emphasized.
Finally, Wingo clarified that, starting Tuesday, May 27, 2025, flights between Colombia and Venezuela will operate normally.
Wingo operates the Bogotá-Caracas and Medellín-Caracas routes. Photo: Wingo
Environmental and Health Journalist (and vallenato)
eltiempo
