Spanish airline suspends use of Venezuelan currency

Venezuelan travelers said they were shocked to discover Spanish airline Air Europa has stopped accepting their currency, the bolivar. Air Europa announced Friday it has instituted an "indefinite" suspension of sales using bolivars because Venezuela has not been exchanging the money for U.S. dollars, leaving the airline without the more than $160 million owed from the bolivars turned in to Venezuela's Cadivi foreign exchange agency, USA Today reported Friday. Resident Javier Martinez said he was shocked to hear of the policy when he attempted to buy a ticket from Caracas to Madrid. ''The reservation people told me that I could buy the ticket in dollars or Euros, but not bolivars,'' Martinez said. "I'm Venezuelan and what other money do I have?" Mildred Amaro, who runs Barquero Tours in La Victoria, said many other international airlines are taking steps to limit the tickets sold in Venezuela due to the country owing up to $2.6 million total to various airlines. "Many airlines are reducing the amount of seats they're offering to local flyers," Amaro said. "On many routes, it's difficult to find a seat. Inventory is limited."