Lufthansa Suspends Caracas Flights Because Of Venezuela’s Economic Struggles

The German airline Deutsche Lufthansa said Saturday it will temporarily suspend flights to Venezuela as of next month because of the economic difficulties in the South American country and problems converting local currency into dollars.

International airlines have for years struggled to repatriate billions of dollars in revenue held in the local bolivar currency due to exchange controls, prompting many to limit service and require that passengers pay fares in dollars.

“We deeply regret that for these reasons, we will be forced to suspend our service between Caracas and Frankfurt as of June 18,” Lufthansa wrote in a statement, noting that demand for international flights to Caracas dropped in 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.

Lufthansa does not plan to shut its office in Caracas.

After a two-year rout in oil prices, the South American OPEC nation is struggling with a deep recession and the world’s highest inflation rate, which has put foreign travel out of the reach of most of its citizens.

American Airlines in March said it was scrapping a recently reinstated direct flight between Caracas and New York because of low demand.