The airline said it would consider resuming operations once the situation in Venezuela had stabilised.

 

It operated three return flights between Toronto and Caracas per week.

 

Twenty-nine people - from both sides of the political divide - have been killed in six weeks of protests against high inflation, crime and the shortage of many staples¹ in Venezuela. 

 

"Due to ongoing² civil unrest in Venezuela, Air Canada can no longer ensure the safety of its operation and has suspended flights to Caracas until further notice," says the Canadian airline in a statement.

 

It says customers who have not begun their travel "may obtain refunds³". Others may be rebooked on other airlines.

 

 

Several international airlines have reduced operations in recent weeks in Venezuela, but their main grievance⁵ has been the government's tight currency controls.

 

International airlines say the government of Nicolas Maduro owes them more than $3bn.

 

Tough foreign currency controls make it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate⁶ money obtained from ticket sales in Venezuela.

 

In January, Ecuadorean airline Tame suspended flights to Venezuela, demanding $43m - one third of the company's yearly revenue - in overdue⁷ payments for tickets.

点击收听单词发音