The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has suspended Aeropostal - Alas de Venezuela (ALV, Caracas Simón Bolivar) from selling tickets via its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) systems as of last week. The BSP allows for the settlement of financial transactions between travel agents and airlines.
Venezuela's Ultimas Noticias says IATA undertook the move after Aeropostal reportedly failed to make payments related to processing and administrative costs. Fellow carrier, Rutaca Airlines (5R, Ciudad Bolívar), is faced with similar sanctions though no official announcement has yet been made.
Aeropostal has, in the interim, assured the public that it will continue to operate services albeit as charter flights. Using a fleet of five MD-82s and one DC-9-50, Aeropostal serves eight destinations located throughout Venezuela.
The socialist South American country is currently in the midst of a self-inflicted foreign currency shortage that has severely affected both local and international operators.
