Colombia’s largest airline cancels flights to Caracas

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia’s largest airline has cancelled all flights to Caracas after what it said was a security breach involving one of its aircraft and Venezuela’s air force.

Avianca’s spokeswoman Gilma Usuga said that all flights to Europe will also be rerouted to avoid Venezuelan airspace until the security of its operations can be guaranteed. The decision affects multiple daily flights between Caracas and Bogota and Lima, Peru.

Usuga said that the incident took place on flight between Madrid and Bogota Friday night. She refrained from further comment until the two governments clarify what happened.

Local media said the Boeing 787 was flying at a high altitude when it was approached in a menacing fashion by one or possibly two fighter jets, setting off a collision warning system.