* A move by the Venezuelan National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) to ban flights by Delta Airlines and Continental Airlines and reduce operations of American Airlines has been delayed until March 30 to allow talks on the restrictions.

* INAC said in a statement on its website that the measure was adjourned for a month, after the airlines rejected the sudden decision.

* INAC first announced the flight ban on February 23rd. This measure would have prohibited flights starting March 1st by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and restricted flights by American Airlines, the other major US carrier serving Venezuela.

* The postponement of the prohibition "will allow communication channels to be established between the competent authorities in order to guarantee equal opportunities in air operations for both Venezuelan and North American airlines," the aviation authority said.

* INAC said President Hugo Chávez' government authorities met with representatives from the airlines on February 24th to discuss the action, which was taken in response to a similar ban by US authorities 10 years ago.

* The Federal Aviation Administration restricted some flights by Venezuelan carriers to the US in 1996 because it said the country did not meet international safety standards.

* US airlines operating in Venezuela expect resuming talks with INAC on the enforcement of a flight ban the agency announced last week.

* "We have no meeting scheduled with INAC this week, but we are actually waiting for an invitation to restart talks with the relevant authority," said Omar Notaro, managing director of American Airlines in Venezuela.

* Last February 23rd, INAC sent a letter to US carriers operating in Venezuela advising them of the decision to ban a number of flights and curb operations as of March 1st.

* The move targeted American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines and Fedex.

* INAC claimed it made the decision with a view to restore the principles of equal opportunity, reciprocity, and equality that should govern relations between Venezuela and the United States. Such fundamentals are provided for in their bilateral agreement on aviation.

* INAC made reference to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) decision to rate Venezuela as a Category 2 country since 1995.

* On February 24th, following a meeting with the parties concerned, INAC issued a communiqué announcing adjournment of the flight ban until March 30th. They intended to launch talks with FAA and achieve balanced air traffic between the two countries.

* US airlines will not fly in Venezuela unless Venezuelan aircraft can operate in US territory, Venezuelan Vice-President José Vicente Rangel admonished.

* In 2005, "streamlining of the air control system started. Our airports are first-class. Present inconveniences with the United States are because they are reluctant to acknowledge it. If they fail to acknowledge it, then US airlines will not fly. This is final," Rangel said.

* The Vice-President made the remarks during a speech to submit the 2005 accounts of the Executive branch at the National Assembly.