GlobalX A320 N642VA and Venezuelan Carriers Laser and Avior at Curaçao Amid Maduro Restrictions
N642VA, the latest Airbus to join Global Crossing (Global X), paid Curaçao a visit recently. The A320 was delivered a few days before to the Miami-based charter operator, having previously been flown by Alaska Airlines (absorbed from the now-defunct Virgin America).
Global X’s service between Miami and Curaçao is done on behalf of Venezuelan carrier Laser Airlines. This is due to restrictions imposed by the Maduro government following the last general election in that country. Laser itself brings passengers to Curaçao (CUR) and Global X then flies them to Miami (MIA) because they cannot operate service to the USA. Also caught up in Venezuela’s geopolitical problems are Laser’s route to Santo Domingo (SDQ), in the Dominican Republic, where passengers must stop in CUR and continue their journey on Red Air’s MD82. A second Venezuelan airline, Avior, is having to re-route its SDQ passengers through CUR, using Sky High Dominicana for the final leg. Two other Venezuelan operators, Rutaca and Venezolana, are similarly affected but it would seem they have not made alternate arrangements through CUR for their routes to the Dominican Republic.
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