Spirit Airlines seeks approval to start Caracas flights

Spirit Airlines flights to Caracas are yet to see the light of the day. The airline has asked the Venezuelan government to immediately approve its plan to start flights to Caracas.

The airline says its plans to start Caracas flights have been delayed by five years as the Venezuelan government is yet to approve this. This delay is also hindering the airline’s expansion plans.

Spirit Airlines in a statement said it has lodged protests in response to Sundance Air Venezuela SA’s efforts to being flights to the US, and said it is ready to support the application if it is given approval and allowed to fly to the Venezuelan capital Caracas.

The airline in a regulatory filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation said it has already been given the rights to fly to Venezuela by U.S. authorities in 2006. But, the Venezuela government has still not approved, which is in “direct violation” of the air services agreement between U.S. and Venezuela.    

The airline disclosed it is planning to boost capacity by 23 percent this year.

Spirit Airlines is adding domestic cities such as Dallas and Chicago this year. It is also expanding its extensive network to the Caribbean and Central America, and will fly to more destinations.