Venezuela has closed its airspace to all Argentinian-registered aircraft in response to Argentina’s involvement in the seizure, delivery, and scrapping of a B747-300M formerly operated by Emtrasur Cargo, leading to a retaliation decision by President Nicolás Maduro supported by the country’s parliament.
The closure of airspace is intended to last until Venezuela’s company is properly compensated for the damages caused, prompting a statement from an Argentinian official denouncing attempts at extortion and confirming diplomatic actions in response to the situation.
Aerolíneas Argentinas has rerouted some flights to avoid Venezuelan airspace, with flights between Buenos Aires and Punta Cana and New York being redirected over Colombian and Guyanese airspace due to the airspace closure.
The seizure and delivery of B747 YV3531 were part of a legal dispute dating back to June 2022, with the United States issuing a seizure warrant alleging US sanctions violations. The aircraft was eventually dismantled in Miami following a legal process facilitated by the change in power in Argentina from a Venezuela-friendly to a Pro-US president.
