Venezuela's Aeropostal cuts flights as economy crumbles

Aeropostal - Alas de Venezuela (VH, Caracas Simón Bolivar) is set to cut half its route network in a bid to curb its exposure to the increasingly difficult domestic Venezuelan market. La Verdad Vargas newspaper reports that flights from Caracas Simón Bolivar to destinations like Barquisimeto, Cumana, and Maturín are to be eliminated leaving only Maracaibo, Porlamar, and Puerto Ordaz/Ciudad Guayana.  Reasons for the dramatic cutbacks include a decline in passenger loads as well as difficulties in accessing foreign currency needed to service its grounded fleet. At present, only three of Aeropostal's six MD-82s are operational while its only MD-83 is also inactive. More…