RAQUEL BARREIRO C.
EL UNIVERSAL

Representatives of the civil aeronautic sector in Venezuela and the United States expect that this will be a decisive week to solve the dispute of both countries since 1995.

Humberto Figuera, the vice-president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association, commented that in view of the willingness expressed by the Venezuelan and US governments, a solution could be reached before implementing the decision of the National Civil Aviation Institute to discontinue the flights of US airliners from March 30th.

Víctor Battini, the director general of Delta Airlines for South America and Mexico, considers also a possible prompt solution, particularly if the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decides to visit Venezuela to check air terminals and safety and upgrade Venezuela to Category 1.

All representatives expect the visit this same week. Therefore, FAA could have an updated view of the progress made in Venezuela in terms of civil aviation.

Different conditions
The experts in the aeronautic sector explained that since 1995, when FAA resolved to downgrade Venezuela to Category 2, much progress has been made in the area of safety and aircraft certification.

Jorge Alvarez, CEO of the Venezuelan Chamber of Air Transportation, pointed out that for 10 years FAA has argued aircraft and crew certification troubles.
 
The decision of the US aeronautic authority made airliners to rent planes and hire crew from US companies or any other country ranked with Category 1, in order to continue operating in that market.

The move prevented aviation companies that did not fly then to the United States from requesting clearance.

Alvarez thinks that these measures make no sense nowadays. Following the passage of the Civil Aeronautic Law and organization of the National Civil Aeronautic Institute, there is more control in granting of operation and crew licenses.

Further, Venezuelan authorities argued that late last year the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) disseminated a report stating that Venezuela has accomplished 89 percent of safety requirements, well above the world average.

Francisco Paz Fleitas, the head of the National Civil Aeronautic Institute, told the media that the Venezuelan Government has made every effort for FAA to visit Venezuela and conduct an inspection, but no reply has been received so far.

For this reason, he argued, Venezuela resolved to discontinue the flights of US airliners from March 30th, as reciprocity in the face of lack of balance in compliance with the aviation bilateral agreement.

Now, airlines expect FAA and the National Civil Aeronautic Institute to reach an agreement; solve the impasse and prevent cessation of US flights to and from Venezuela.

rbarreiro@eluniversal.com

Translated by Conchita Delgado