US DOT fines Copa Airlines for operating Venezuela flights
The US transportation department has slapped Copa Airlines with a $450,000 fine for carrying passengers between Venezuela and the US.
US authorities found Panama-based Copa transported passengers from and to Venezuela via stopovers after the Trump administration banned services between the countries.
After the May 2019 ban took effect, the airline carried more than 15,000 passengers between the countries.
Copa said the violation was not wilful as it did not provide direct service between the two countries and was not on the US DOT’s list as a carrier serving Venezuela.
The US administration banned air links with Venezuela as a political crisis took hold in the country.
Copa is required to only pay half the fine if it doesn’t violate the ban for one year.
Copa told US officials it acknowledges the seriousness of the matter and took steps to avoid future violations.
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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.
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