Aerolineas Argentina nixes two flights to Venezuela, cites security

Argentine state-run carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas cancelled two flights to Caracas between Sept. 10 and 12 due to security concerns, a spokeswoman said on Monday. The announcement followed one of the biggest anti-government protests last week against socialist rule in Venezuela in more than a decade. "Because of calls for new demonstrations and marches in Venezuela we decided to cancel two flights," said Felicitas Cuatrillón, institutional relations manager for Aerolíneas Argentinas. She said the flights were cancelled "preventively because there could be disturbances" in order to keep crews safe. Aerolíneas Argentinas was nationalized in 2008 during the government of then President Cristina Fernandez. New market-friendly management appointed by centre-right President Mauricio Macri is working to cut costs. Several international airlines have stopped flying to Venezuela in recent years because they have not been able to repatriate ticket sales held in local currency.<br/>