OREANDA-NEWS.  Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is focused on meeting the needs of customers affected by its recently announced reduction of flights between Caracas, Venezuela and Atlanta.

Delta provided one month advance notice prior to the reduction of frequencies, and is reaching out to affected customers to assist with their travel needs. The airline is accommodating passengers who have already begun their trip to ensure they have options for their return to Caracas and will operate additional flights as needed.

All customers who have not commenced travel before Aug. 2 and those who have a return scheduled on or after Aug. 2, 2014, will be offered a full refund.

Delta is working in partnership with the Venezuelan Association of Travel Agents and Tourism (AVAVIT) in Caracas to assist customer’s requests as quickly as possible.  Delta is also taking into account individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis. To request a refund, customers should contact Delta at 1-800-100-3453 or their travel agent.

Delta’s decision to reduce service was due to circumstances largely out of Delta’s control relating to the government’s foreign currency control requirements and the government’s inability to grant Delta’s numerous requests to exchange Delta’s own ticket revenues to U.S. dollars and allow them to be repatriated to the United States. Over the last 15 months, the Venezuelan government has failed to approve Delta’s requests to exchange more than USD 188 million in revenue earned from ticket sales in Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars.  While Delta continues to work diligently and in good faith with the Venezuelan government to find an expedient resolution to the issue, the matter remains unresolved. This has left the airline no option but to limit its financial risk by reducing operations in Venezuela.   

Delta has proudly provided 15 years of uninterrupted service to Caracas and values its longstanding commercial relationship with the Venezuelan government.  Delta remains committed to the Venezuelan market and its loyal Venezuelan customers.  While Delta reduced flights from daily to weekly service between Atlanta and Caracas, the airline does not intend to leave the market at this time.  Delta remains hopeful that the repatriation issues can be resolved with the government and we can return to regular service.