Airlines unfairly targeting peaceful socialist nations in order to rake in World Cup profits!

[Phier]

This sort of targeting of countries just to make a little extra money somewhere else must be punished by the people! There is absolutely no logical reason for airlines to be leaving Venezuela without reliable and affordable air service except to line their pockets with American dollars. Anyone who thinks this has to do with the policies of a democratically and fairly elected government is simply delusional or in the pay for the USA.

http://news.yahoo.com/airlines-exiti...7586--sow.html

CARACAS (Reuters) - Airlines are halting flights to Venezuela not because of the country's economic problems but to take advantage of the World Cup in neighboring Brazil, the president said on Thursday.
Air Canada recently cut flights to Venezuela because of security concerns, Alitalia suspended services due to delays in repatriating revenue under currency controls, and a clutch of other airlines have reduced the frequency of flights.
Venezuela owes airlines some $4 billion, according to the International Air Transport Association, because the airlines have to sell tickets in the local bolivar currency but cannot get approval to repatriate the revenue.
But Maduro, the socialist successor to the late Hugo Chavez, blasted those factors as smokescreens.
"Some of these announcements are manipulated," he said from an airport in the southwestern state of Apure, where he was inaugurating new domestic flights.
"Some of these European airlines have reprogrammed flights until the World Cup is over and they're re-routing flights to Brazil, given the large number of people round the world who want to enjoy the best World Cup we'll see."
The airline situation has added to the economic problems facing the country, including shortages of basic goods and raging inflation. Those factors have fueled a wave of street protests against his government since February.
Maduro lashed out at companies thinking of closing shop amid what he says is an "economic war" against him by capitalist foes. "Whoever leaves Venezuela in the midst of this economic war doesn't return to Venezuela because Venezuela must be respected," Maduro said, vowing to bolster national and international flights.
Venezuelans wishing to fly abroad are finding it increasingly hard to purchase tickets due to reduced numbers on sale and sky-rocketing prices. Some sit up until the small hours to try and book tickets online as soon as they become available.

A shameful display of exploitative capitalism!

[sumskilz]

I wonder why they would have shortages of basic goods and raging inflation.

[Condottiere 40K]

Because the bourgeoisie are the breeding grounds of counter-revolutionaries. Like mosquitoes from dank mangrove swamps, sucking the lifeblood of the oppressed proletariat.

[Durnaug]

Because the bourgeoisie are the breeding grounds of counter-revolutionaries. Like mosquitoes from dank mangrove swamps, sucking the lifeblood of the oppressed proletariat.

Lol. How ironic.

[Mayer]

Maduro is a good comedian but i'm sorry to say that he isn't as good at running a country

[YukonTrooper]

Are we discussing anything political or is Phier just having a tantrum?

[Simon Cashmere]

Are we discussing anything political or is Phier just having a tantrum?

Just a totalitarian state ripping off the airlines, and the airlines saying, we're not coming back. Still, no matter how many airlines leave, there will always be someone that will fly there.

[priam11]

Are we discussing anything political or is Phier just having a tantrum?

I don't know but why don't you contribute and find out.

[Condottiere 40K]

The only airlines that would operate under those conditions would have to be state owned.

From what I can tell, it's a combination of class warfare and those who've benefitted from the regime.

[Mayer]

To be more precise, you mean airlines which don't care that they make losses for the Venezuela-line due to compensation.
There might be some.. Iran Air could continue as act of friendship for Venezuela's support of Iran

[Condottiere 40K]

The point of view always depends on which side of the barricades you happen to be on, or in the high rise looking down on the conflagration.

[koovie]

Seriously?

The airline business is one of the hardest ones out there..... airlines are companies, looking for profits and no charity organizations!!!!

[Condottiere 40K]

Commercial organizations will attempt to continue operations, as long as they believe they'll make a profit.

Airlines are also seen as national flag bearers (therefore an extension of soft power), and those that have partial or complete state control could be instructed to maintain routes where they are losing money.

[Phier]

Commercial organizations will attempt to continue operations, as long as they believe they'll make a profit.

Airlines are also seen as national flag bearers (therefore an extension of soft power), and those that have partial or complete state control could be instructed to maintain routes where they are losing money.

Canada has an "airline" that services small towns in very remote places and there is no way its making a profit (I've flown it once going to Northern Manitoba) and I'm sure it gets some sort of government grant or the like to continue to fly. There is nothing wrong with that really, its not unlike the US post office maintaining routes to remote places etc. In this case the problem is passengers. Simply not enough to justify the cost of the airlines based on money alone.

The problem you have here is when an economy is so screwed that despite thousands and thousands wanting to fly, the airlines can't maintain the route. I do hope Lord Baal is doing ok, he wanted to get out last we heard but he may be stuck.

[Diocle]

Only this: erase Alitalia from the quoted companies because actually Alitalia is a failed State company, so, cutting flights it's a forced decision.

[Sphere]

Venezuela has been having major problems with it's foreign currency reserves:

http://www.economist.com/news/americ...int-party-over

It is working with only a billion or two in liquid foreign currency assets. In order to have enough foreign currency on hand so as not to default on the financial credit markets, it has been holding back not just on airline ticket payments but also payments for imports.

[Condottiere 40K]

It is a surprise that the government has lasted this long without imposing martial law.

Perhaps a Great Leap Forward is in the offing.