[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 25819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11680]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Suspension of All Direct Commercial Passenger and Cargo Flights
Between the United States and Venezuela
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) has determined that conditions in Venezuela threaten the
safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew, and that the
public interest requires an immediate suspension of all commercial
passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) concurred with this
determination and has issued an Order suspending all foreign air
transportation for passengers or cargo to or from any airport in
Venezuela, effective May 15, 2019.
DATES: Applicable May 15, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Gregory, Acting Assistant
Administrator, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, TSA-4,
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 601 South 12th Street,
Arlington, VA 20598-6004; telephone: (571) 227-3051; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to section 44907(e) of title 49, United States Code, if
``(1) a condition exists that threatens the safety or security of
passengers, aircraft, or crew traveling to or from [a foreign] airport;
and (2) the public interest requires an immediate suspension of
transportation between the United States and that airport,'' the
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of
Transportation and with the approval of the Secretary of State, shall
suspend flights to and from that foreign airport.
The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that conditions
in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft,
and crew, and that the public interest requires an immediate suspension
of air transportation. This determination is based on several
prevailing factors, which include: (1) Reports of civil unrest and
violence in and around the airports; (2) the inability of TSA to gain
access to Venezuelan airports to conduct required security assessments
to determine whether adequate security measures are in place; (3) the
current economic and political crisis in Venezuela; (4) cancellation of
flights to Venezuela by American Airlines, the largest air carrier
providing service, and two other carriers; (5) the U.S. Department of
State's publication of Do Not Travel advisories, suspension of Embassy
operations, and recommendation that TSA inspectors not enter the
country owing to safety concerns; (6) the Federal Aviation
Administration's issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 1, 2019,
which prohibits all flight operations by U.S. air carriers and
commercial operators in Venezuela airspace below FL 260; and (7) the
risk of Maduro regime actions against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests
located in Venezuela. Following Secretary of State approval, DOT
concurred with this determination and suspended foreign air
transportation of passengers or cargo to or from any airport in
Venezuela, effective May 15, 2019.
Notice of the Secretary of Homeland Security's finding regarding
conditions in Venezuela shall be displayed prominently in all U.S.
airports with regularly scheduled air carrier operations. DHS will
notify the news media of this determination. The Secretary of Homeland
Security has instructed TSA to require that each foreign and domestic
air carrier providing air transportation originating in the United
States to any person with a flight itinerary that originates in,
transfers or transits through, or has a final destination of any
airport in Venezuela, provide written notice to such person advising
that conditions in Venezuela currently present a threat to the
traveling public.
If and when the conditions in Venezuela change and if in the public
interest, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the
Secretary of Transportation, will revisit this determination.
Dated: May 24, 2019.
Kevin K. McAleenan,
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2019-11680 Filed 6-3-19; 8:45 am]
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