Union tells American Airlines pilots not to fly to strife-torn Venezuela
American Airlines pilots have been told by their union not to fly to Venezuela as further chaos grips the South American country.
The US State Department halted operations at its Embassy in Caracas and advised all Americans to leave.
"Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens," the State Department said in the level 4 warning.
However, American Airlines is still officially operating flights to the Venezuela capital from Miami.
The latest turmoil in the country has led to the Allied Pilots Association telling its members to refuse duty.
"Until further notice, if you are scheduled, assigned, or reassigned a pairing into Venezuela, refuse the assignment," it said.
Pilots assigned the route should inform the chief pilot or IOC duty pilot as well as the union.
The union represents about 15,000 American pilots.
The airline is the last remaining US carrier still operating flights to the country and has so far declined to comment.
However it will likely suspend the service in view of dire State Department warning and the action by the union.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants fully backed the pilot union’s decision.
"Of course without the pilots, the flight’s not operating," said Lori Bassani, APFA president.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive