Lbell911

Bolivian military take over Santa Cruz airport in dispute over American Airlines plane

By ALVARO ZUAZO,
AP
Posted: 2007-10-18 13:04:51
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivian soldiers and police took control of the country's most important airport Thursday after airport workers detained an American Airlines plane on the runway, demanding the carrier pay them landing fees in cash.

Air force troops stormed the Viru Viru airport in the city of Santa Cruz before dawn. One soldier was wounded by gunfire and police arrested three airport workers who were carrying firearms, officials said.

Outside the airport, police used tear gas against some workers trying to enter the terminal.

Viru Viru "will remain militarized until the government is certain there will be no more disturbances," Javier Garcia, the head of civil aviation, told reporters.

The communications office of the private company that runs the airport, Sabsa, said flights in and out of the airport were running normally Thursday.

The government took over the airport after workers on Tuesday detained an American Airlines plane as it was set to take off for Miami with 140 passengers aboard. Another plane belonging to Aerolineas Argentinas was also detained.

The workers were demanding the airline pay landing fees of up to $2,000 in cash locally, rather than deposit the fees with the federal airport authority.

The airport conflict has broader political implications because Santa Cruz, a relatively wealthy city in eastern Bolivia, has chafed under the government of leftist President Evo Morales as it moves to nationalize industries and redistribute land and wealth to the country's poor majority.

On Wednesday, American, a unit of Dallas-based AMR Corp., and Brazil's Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA temporarily suspended service to Bolivia due to the conflict at Viru Viru.

soon2bfo

Wow. Its like were back in the 1970's in South America again.

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Flatspin7

Wow... It amazes me that none of the airport folks in Bolivia thought that there would just happen to have landing fees in cash on board.

My company never let me in on the secret cash stash on board.

"HUGE"

The impression that many people in third world countries have of Americans is that we all walk around with money coming out of our ears. Back in the late 80s, the average annual income of folks in the Ivory Coast was $600; I doubt Bolivia's much better. So, when you've just gone the the ATM and have a few crisp twenties in your pocket, you've got that $ecret $tash!

skidmark

Another reason to allow FFDO's to carry heat international.

flaps 9

Another reason to be thankful I only fly domestic

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Ziggy

Some of the flights we take into undeveloped countries, They'll take over $10,000 in cash. Ofcourse this is GA not 121.

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Ms, I may be drunk, but you are ugly. For tomorrow I'll be sober. -Winston Churchhill

FliFast

I've flown to Santa Cruz with TransMeridian and had a great time drinking and dancing on the bars there-just a couple years ago. Hmm, I wonder what's changed.

Puzzling....

bifff15

You've got no ideal what you are missing. What you are reading on here is the rare events, not the norm. Rio, Buenos Aires, Santiago, St Thomas, Europe and Asia all have their great spots.

Derrick Driver

Been there many times, almost got shot once. The place can be a little like the old west at times.

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