Satena Suspends Flights to Valencia Amid Venezuela Airspace Concerns
Amid escalating tensions surrounding Venezuelan airspace, Colombian state airline Satena announced on Thursday, April 12, 2025, the temporary suspension of all flights to and from Valencia, Venezuela. The decision stems from reported disruptions to satellite navigation systems used by aircraft, raising notable safety concerns for international carriers.
Airline Industry Responds to US Pressure
Satena’s move follows similar actions taken by Colombian airline Wingo and its parent company, Panamanian carrier copa Airlines, both of which suspended flights to Venezuela earlier on Thursday and Friday.According to a company release, the suspensions are a direct response to “reports of interference already recorded in the satellite navigation systems used by aircraft.” The airline emphasized that these conditions “represent a risk for the operation and require preventive measures to be adopted while the stability and reliability of navigation services in the region are verified.”
The suspensions are widely understood to be a outcome of pressure exerted by the US president, who, following military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific beginning in September, suggested international airlines should treat Venezuelan airspace as “closed.” This directive has prompted over a dozen airlines – including Iberia, Turkish Airlines, Latam, Avianca, and gol – to cancel flights, effectively isolating the country, particularly its capital, Caracas.
Safety Concerns Clash with Political Stances
Satena operates twice-weekly flights to Valencia, Venezuela’s third-largest city, located approximately two hours from Caracas. The airline’s decision stands in contrast to the position of Colombian president Gustavo Petro, who has publicly stated there is no danger in flying to Venezuela and asserted that the US president has no “right” to dictate flight routes.
The US president’s actions, framed as a crackdown on drug trafficking, have been met with criticism due to a lack of publicly presented evidence linking the targeted vessels to illicit activities. The offensive has already resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people, including a Colombian fisherman whose family has filed a complaint with the Inter-American commission on Human rights (IACHR) against their own government. Venezuelan President nicolas Maduro alleges the attacks are a pretext for regime change.
The airline stated that the suspension is in full compliance with “the best air safety practices” and is intended “to protect its passengers, crew and operation.”
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DZC (EFE, AFP)
