[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]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P