Panama's Copa suspends flights to Venezuela, citing signal problem

Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines has suspended Thursday and Friday flights to and from Venezuela's capital Caracas, citing a navigation signal issue reported by its pilots.

The issue did not compromise flight safety, the company added in a statement published late Wednesday.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Copa joins a list of international carriers - Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Turkish Airlines, Gol, Air Europa and Plus Ultra - that have suspended their flights to Venezuela.

• The airline described the issue as intermittences in a navigation signal and called suspension a "preventive" measure.

• The carrier is evaluating the situation and said it would provide new information within 24 hours.

CONTEXT

• International airlines had suspended flights to the country following a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration about a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela.