Economics

Venezuelans Blocked from Buying Flights Out of Country

International airlines won't take their increasingly worthless currency

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Venezuelans are finding out that their money is no good with one airline and others may also cut off the country from flights abroad.

Air Europa, a Spanish discount airline, has suspended sales of tickets in bolivars, the Venezuelan currency, because Venezuela has not been exchanging the bolivars for U.S. dollars as is customary.

The suspension, which Europa said Friday is "indefinite," caught some Venezuelans by surprise.

Javier Martinez tried to book a flight this week to Madrid on Air Europa in Caracas, but even though there were plenty of seats available Air Europa refused to accept his Venezuelan bolivars.