BUENOS AIRES, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Argentina's flagship air carrier Aerolineas Argentinas AERA.UL has discontinued its weekly flight to Caracas, Venezuela, citing "operational reasons," the company said in a statement.
The company had told Reuters in August that it would no longer be selling tickets for the flight because of security concerns as violence and political uncertainty increased in Venezuela. offered to re-route passengers to Bogota in neighboring Colombia free of charge.
The move further isolates Venezuela from international travel routes after carriers including Deutsche Lufthansa AG LHAG.DE , Air Canada AC.TO and United Continental Holdings Inc UAL.N have pulled out. airlines have cited factors including weak demand, a payment dispute with socialist President Nicolas Maduro's government, and security concerns for their crews on the ground. Months of anti-Maduro protests earlier this year resulted in at least 125 deaths.