MIAMI – International aviation expert Nelson Ramiz is warning authorities in Caracas against hastily granting foreign airlines domestic traffic rights or expanded access to the Venezuelan market, arguing that such a move could seriously undermine the country's airlines just as the industry may be entering a new period of recovery.
In an interview with Curaçao Chronicle, Ramiz said Venezuela should welcome greater international competition and connectivity, but only under conditions that guarantee Venezuelan carriers the same opportunities in foreign markets.
Nelson Ramiz
Ramiz, who previously served on the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said any authorization allowing foreign airlines to operate domestic routes in Venezuela, known as cabotage, or to exercise fifth- or sixth-freedom traffic rights should be handled through existing bilateral air service agreements and in accordance with Venezuelan aviation law.
He cautioned against granting such rights simply through executive decisions without considering their potential impact on Venezuelan airlines currently operating and those that could enter the market in the future.
According to Ramiz, Venezuela risks causing lasting damage to its national aviation industry if valuable traffic rights are transferred to large foreign carriers without reciprocal benefits for Venezuelan airlines.
He described the danger as that of giving away "a lot for nothing."
Ramiz stressed that he is not opposed to liberalization. On the contrary, he said he has long supported open-skies policies and promoted them during his time in the aviation industry and at IATA.
However, he said open skies should work in both directions.
If airlines from another country are given broad access to Venezuela, Venezuelan carriers should receive comparable rights to operate in that country's market.
Ramiz also warned Venezuelan authorities against becoming overly dependent on what he described as "airlines golondrinas," or "swallow airlines" — foreign carriers that enter a market when conditions are attractive but may quickly leave when political, economic or commercial circumstances change.
He pointed to Venezuela's recent aviation history, noting that several major international airlines previously suspended operations in the country during years of severe economic and political difficulties.
For major Latin American airline groups, Ramiz argued, Venezuela may represent an attractive growth opportunity, but it would still account for only a relatively small portion of their overall networks. Venezuelan airlines, by contrast, depend directly on the domestic market and continued access to the country's international traffic rights.
"Even under difficult circumstances, Venezuelan airlines continued operating and providing air service despite the crises they had to endure," Ramiz told Curaçao Chronicle.
The aviation expert believes that changing conditions in Venezuela could eventually give domestic airlines an opportunity to rebuild.
If confidence in the country and its aviation industry improves, he expects Venezuelan carriers could regain access to international financing needed to acquire aircraft and renew aging fleets.
That recovery, however, could become much more difficult if foreign competitors are first given extensive rights over Venezuela's most valuable domestic and international markets, he warned.
Ramiz therefore called on both Venezuelan aviation authorities and the country's airlines to closely scrutinize any proposed agreements with foreign carriers.
His position is that foreign investment and increased competition do not have to come at the expense of Venezuela's own aviation sector. Instead, access should be negotiated through bilateral agreements that provide equal conditions and reciprocal opportunities.
Ramiz said Venezuela should pursue greater international connectivity while ensuring that decisions made today do not eliminate the possibility of rebuilding a competitive Venezuelan airline industry tomorrow.