Air Europa pilots ask to avoid layovers in Venezuela

Air Europa pilots, represented by the Spanish pilots trade union SEPLA, have requested layover alternatives on its 3X-weekly Madrid-Caracas services because of safety concerns. SEPLA recommends avoiding overnight crew-stays in Venezuela’s capital of Caracas because of escalating violence. Europa is one of the few remaining European carriers that operate to Caracas where the crew stays overnight. The carrier uses Airbus A330s on the route. SEPLA said the current situation “puts at risk the security and the physical integrity of the crews that have to move from the airport to the hotel where they are staying.” For this reason, the labour union is requiring Air Europa “to assess the situation and establish measures such as cancellation of flights or other alternatives that guarantee the safety of the crew.” <br/>