Canada 's largest airline announced Monday it has suspended flights to and from Venezuela capital Caracas as violent protests continue in the country . `` Due to ongoing civil unrest in Venezuela , Air Canada can no longer ensure the safety of its operation and has suspended flights to Caracas until further notice , '' said the airline in a statement . Air Canada said its last flight departed Caracas on Sunday , March 16 . Prior to the suspension , Air Canada operated three return flights per week between Toronto and Caracas . The airline said customers holding tickets for later flights will receive a refund . `` Air Canada will continue to monitor the situation and will evaluate the re-introduction of flights with the objective of resuming operations on the route once Air Canada is satisfied that the situation in Venezuela has stabilized , '' said the statement . For more than a month demonstrators have been clashing with security forces in Venezuela , marking the biggest threat President Nicolas Maduro has faced since his election last year . Students and other anti-government protestors are unhappy with Venezuela 's economy and rising crime . Despite being one of the world 's top 10 oil-producing countries , more than 25 % of Venezuelans live below the poverty line . More than 20 people have been killed during the demonstrations , according to government figures . IATA : Venezuela not playing by the rules . Air Canada 's cancellation of its Caracas services comes amid a financial dispute between airlines and Venezuela 's government . International Air Transport Association 's CEO Tony Tyler said in a speech March 12 that the Venezuelan government is stopping airlines from repatriating around $ 3.7 billion in earnings . For several months , airlines have reportedly been unable to access money earned in ticket sales in Venezuela due to the company 's tight currency controls . Ecuadorean flag carrier Tame suspended flights to Venezuela for three days in January over blocked payments . `` It is unacceptable that the Venezuelan government is not playing by the rules to which it is treaty bound , '' said Tyler . `` The impact of this blocked cash is quite easily seen when you consider that airlines this year will only make $ 18.7 billion globally . Of course this is cash and not pure profit . `` Airlines certainly can not sustain operations indefinitely if they ca n't get paid . I have written to President Maduro asking for his urgent attention to this issue . '' According to a report by Venezuela 's Spanish-language daily el Nacional , Maduro told reporters on March 14 that any airline that pulls its operations from the country will not be allowed to return while he 's in power .
Citing safety concerns , IATA suspended all flights to Canada . Violent clashes between opposition demonstrators and government forces ongoing for March 12 . Air Canada CEO says Venezuelan government blocking airlines from repatriating around $ 3.7 billion .