MIAMI, July 6 (UPI) -- Iberia airlines says high operating costs and visa rules are forcing it to move its hub out of Miami to Panama and Guatemala beginning October 1, 2004.
The announcement was made Tuesday by airline officials.
Iberia, which has operated its flight services between Spain and Central America through its distribution center in Miami, said costs have increased dramatically after U.S. airport security measures were made more stringent following the September 11 attacks.
According to Iberia representatives, meeting the new security requirements has meant that "connections that used to take half an hour now take three."
Along with the security requirements, the new government regulations present serious obstacles for passengers flying from Central America, who cannot even make connecting flights in the United States without visas.
Starting in October Iberia Iberia will fly directly to Panama and Guatelmala City and cut its flights to Miami to one a day.
