Because, in 1995, the country had been ranked by the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in Category 2 for security, safety and technical reasons, Venezuelan airlines had been forced to rent both planes and crews for flights to and from the U.S. It was claimed that after the Category 2 ranking, Venezuelan carriers lost 90% of the Venezuela-U.S. market to U.S. competitors.

In reaction, the Venezuelan government threatened to block all flights by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines and restrict the majority of flights by American Airlines. In reaction to the reaction, threats had been made to prohibit Venezuelan flights to the U.S.