Tony Tyler, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has commented that Venezuelan government officials have still not responded to its requests for talks on $3.8 billion in unpaid debts since the country has yet to approve requests to repatriate the revenue from ticket sales made in local currency.
"We as IATA haven't succeeded in engaging the senior levels of government in any discussions," said Tyler. "We'd be very keen to do that. At any time, I would go for a meeting with the president or the senior ministers to find a solution to the problem."
Individual airlines too have met with government officials but without success, leading to some including Air Canada to suspend operations to the country.
"It is crucial the government now take the next step and release the airlines' money, and that it do so at fair exchange rates," added Tyler. "Airlines can't be expected to keep serving a market if they can't get paid.