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Venezuela Rethinks Airlines Ban

Venezuelan aviation officials are still deciding whether to impose a ban on U.S. airlines by March 30. U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield says the two sides have reached a temporary agreement to suspend the ban in order to avoid a potential crisis. If Caracas imposes a ban on U.S. carriers, all flights by Continental Airlines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc., as well as some by American Airlines would be restricted.

But officials at Venezuela`s National Aviation Institute (INAC) say they have not yet reached a decision on the ban, which was proposed to protest safety restrictions imposed by American aviation authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration dropped Venezuela`s carriers to a category 2 safety rating in 1995. This meant the country had to fly planes rented from U.S. companies or from airlines that had a category 1 rating. Venezuela says it does not deserve the downgraded rating as it corrected safety problems long ago. It even invited the FAA to inspect its airlines.