Venezuela extends deadline for US flight curbs

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb 26 (Reuters) Venezuelan has extended until March 30 a deadline for suspending some US passenger and cargo flights while the government holds talks with US carriers, authorities said on Saturday.

Venezuela said this week it would halt Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines flights and restrict flights by American Airlines from March 1 to demand Washington lift flight restrictions placed on Venezuelan carriers a decade ago.

The airline spat is the latest dispute to test relations between the United States and Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter and a key supplier to the US market.

Reuters SK VP0420