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Avianca will suspend flights to Venezuela next month, joining other major carriers that have cut off access to the South American nation engulfed in violent political protests and economic chaos. Avianca will stop its twice-daily flights between Caracas and Bogota as well as an almost daily flight to Lima Aug 16, the company said, citing Venezuela’s need to improve airport infrastructure and adapt to international security standards. “After more than 60 years of continuous service to Venezuela, we regret having to make this difficult decision,” CE Hernan Rincon said. “But it’s our obligation to guarantee operational security.” Venezuelans will now find it even harder to travel abroad, with the country practically cut off from the rest of Latin America on major carriers except for flights to Panama City operated by Copa. <br/>

The owners of a giant rabbit named Simon who died on a United Airlines flight while bound for the Iowa State Fair sued the carrier Monday, claiming its employees were responsible for the hare's death. The lawsuit was filed in Des Moines on behalf of a group of investors which purchased Simon, the offspring of the "world's largest rabbit," in hopes that he would ultimately surpass his father in size to hold that title and raise money as an exhibit at the fair. Simon, who was less than a year old and already 3 feet long, was being flown from his hometown in the UK to Kansas City in early April when was found dead in a kennel during a layover in Chicago. "We were saddened by Simon's death in April. We have received this complaint and are currently reviewing it," United Airlines said. <br/>