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Direct Commercial Flights Resume Between US and Venezuela
American Airlines operated the first direct commercial flight from Miami to Caracas since 2019, carrying passengers including US officials. The resumption follows the US capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January and the restoration of diplomatic ties.
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The Washington PostAudio version
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An American Airlines flight departed Miami International Airport on Thursday morning, marking the first direct commercial service to Caracas, Venezuela, in nearly seven years. m. ET and arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport about three hours later.
It returned to Miami in the afternoon. Passengers included excited travelers reuniting with family and US officials pursuing energy deals. The suspension of flights in 2019 stemmed from security concerns cited by the US Homeland Security Department amid political instability.
Airlines plans to add a second daily flight between Miami and Caracas starting May 21. m. m. m. m. m. The airline distributed small Venezuelan flags and decorated the gate with balloons in yellow, blue, and red at Miami International Airport. Before the 2019 halt, American Airlines operated up to 5,000 flights annually to Venezuela from cities including Dallas-Fort Worth, New York, and San Juan, making it the largest US carrier serving the country.
Venezuelan carrier Laser Airlines is set to launch competing flights on Friday using a leased Airbus A320 from US-based Global Crossing Airlines, as Venezuela's aviation regulator falls below US safety standards, preventing use of its own aircraft in the US.
Jarrod Agen, director of the US National Energy Dominance Council, was aboard the inaugural flight. Agen planned to meet Venezuelan officials and executives from energy and mining sectors to facilitate US company entry, according to the Venezuelan government.
Venezuela's newly appointed Ambassador to the US, Félix Plasencia, also traveled on the flight. Agen told reporters that a White House team aims to advance agreements between US companies and Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, as well as mining firms.
, and Hunt Energy are among new American entrants to the Venezuelan market. Chevron has continued operations in Venezuela. Chevron CEO Mike Wirth stated that the Rodríguez government has made progress on hydrocarbon law changes to encourage investment, though more work is needed.
