Venezuela: Airlines' standoff in Venezuela getting worse as crisis deepens: IATA

Venezuela is withholding billions of dollars from global airlines as a deepening crisis distracts from talks, an industry representative said Sunday, a day after United announced the end of daily service to the country. Peter Cerda, vice president of the IATA, said Venezuela owes airlines more than $3.8b after years of failing to reimburse companies in hard currency for ticket sales in local currency. Last year IATA said airlines were owed $3.78. "I still think it will probably get worse before it gets better," Cerda said. "The government's main priority is not aviation ... We know what's happening in Venezuela with the uncertainty and violent demonstrations." Unrest prompted by a crackdown on the political opposition and food shortages has resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people since April. Airlines from Lufthansa to Air Canada have pulled out of Venezuela in recent years, citing everything from the payment dispute to safety concerns. "The industry is trying to be sympathetic. The airlines don't want to pull out of Venezuela, but we are getting to a point where airlines need to take business decisions," Cerda said.<br/>