The angry response follows accusations that the US carrier is cooperating with American Airlines on routes “outside the scope” permitted by their new Northeast alliance.
Carriers are hopeful that direct air service will resume in the coming months despite an ongoing federal prohibition on flights between the US and Venezuela.
The carrier which pioneered cheap transatlantic flights between Europe and the US will now focus on short-haul routes as part of a plan to exit insolvency.
The Star Alliance member is taking an ‘opportunistic’ approach to capture leisure demand this winter by adding nonstop flights to Florida from seven non-hubs.
Ecuador’s president has revealed that loss-making national carrier TAME is to be liquidated, but essential routes that do not have a private sector operator will continue.
