Venezuelan Govt suspends Copa Airlines’ operation

…passengers to be reimbursed

With the suspension of the economic, commercial and financial relationship by Venezuela with the Republic of Panama, flights by Copa Airlines, which is a Panama-based carrier, was also suspended by the Venezuelan Government.
This was revealed on Saturday by the airline which stated that the suspension is expected to last for 90 days.
As such, those persons who are scheduled to fly to Venezuela within this period of time, will be fully reimbursed, the airlines said.
In a statement issued to the media, Copa Airlines said they have offered a reimbursement option without penalties, for the total value of unused airlines tickets. Guyanese passengers, who may have commenced their flight, are also eligible to receive reimbursement without penalties for the unused route.
In addition, passengers who wish to change their final destination are allowed to do so without any extra charges by April 20. However, they must travel before July 4, 2018.
According to the airline, there are also some criteria, which must be considered.
This includes that passengers who are flying between North America and Mexico and Venezuela may change any of Copa Airlines final destinations in Panama, Central America, the Caribbean, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Passengers flying between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile and Venezuela can change the final destination of their flight to any of the airline’s destination in Panama, Central America, the Caribbean, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Miami.
Persons who are travelling between Central America, Panama, the Caribbean, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela are allowed to change their flight’s destination to the airline’s destination in Panama, Central America, the Caribbean, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Miami.
While noting that there are a large number of passengers who will be affected by this implementation, the process by which persons are compensated will take longer than the usual time by which it is normally done. These steps are furthermore taken to reaffirm its commitment to the safety of its customers.
Recently, flights were suspended between Panama and Venezuela by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after Panama placed Maduro along with some 50 Venezuelan nationals on a list, which contained persons who are considered a high risk for money laundering.
Conversely, the Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela responded by highlighting the fact that the suspension will affect Venezuelans much more since they rely on Panama for the provision of medical and food supply to tackle the shortages which they face.
The country is currently in a serious crisis following hyperinflation and shortages in food and medicine which resulted in many leaving the country to seek refuge in other places, a prominent one being its neighbour, Guyana.