Venezuela cuts U.S. carriers' flights in spat

By Kevin Gray

CARACAS (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez's government is cutting back Venezuelan flights by U.S. airlines, creating a new source of tension between the United States and one of its leading oil suppliers.

Days after the Bush administration questioned the security at Venezuelan airports, AMR Corp's American Airlines and Delta Airlines said on Thursday that Venezuela ordered a reduction in flights to take effect September 28.

The other major U.S. airline operating routes from Venezuela, Continental, is also targeted, the El Universal newspaper reported. Continental officials did not return calls seeking comment.

Ferrying passengers between Caracas and U.S. cities such as Miami, Atlanta and Houston, the three carriers have more than 70 flights a week, El Universal reported.

It was not clear how many flights would be cut. Venezuelan civil aviation authority officials had no immediate comment.

The move is likely to add to tensions between Chavez, a socialist, and the Bush administration. They regularly clash on a long list of issues including drugs, free trade and oil prices, though Venezuela remains a major U.S. energy supplier.

On Monday, the United States warned U.S. travelers it could not vouch for security measures at Venezuelan airports -- a decision that drew sharp criticism from Venezuelan officials who say they comply with international standards.

"This is an issue between the U.S. and Venezuelan government," said Carlos Santos, a spokesman for Delta Airlines. "We're hopeful this will be resolved and the two sides can reach a solution quickly."

Martha Pantin, an American Airlines spokeswoman in Miami, said Venezuelan authorities had not specified the flights they intended to cut.

TRAVEL ALERT

The head of Venezuela's civil aviation authority, Jose Martinez Bravo, accused U.S. officials of seeking "to embarrass Venezuela" with the travel advisory, El Universal said, citing a copy of the letter sent by Venezuela to the airlines.

Any reduction in flights is likely to largely affect Venezuelans, who regularly travel on vacation to the United States, especially to Florida, home to a large Venezuelan expatriate community where opposition to Chavez is strong.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it issued the advisory after its officials were repeatedly prevented from reviewing security at international airports in Venezuela.

"Venezuela has refused multiple requests to allow for such assessments, which are required by U.S. law, and the agency is taking action to warn travelers of this security deficiency," it said.

U.S. airlines flying between the countries must now alert travelers of the situation in writing, the U.S. agency said.