Direct Commercial Flights Resume Between US and Venezuela After Seven-Year Hiatus

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.

Wirth noted Venezuelan oil suits US Gulf Coast refineries and mentioned discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on holding elections.

“It still needs some work. It's probably not enough to bring in the level of investment that would be desirable.”

The flight resumption follows the US military raid in early January that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro, who was extradited to New York on drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty. Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez now leads the government.

In late January, President Donald Trump announced the opening of commercial airspace over Venezuela, stating American citizens would soon visit safely. The US reopened its embassy in Caracas in early March, restoring full diplomatic relations a month before the flights resumed.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava highlighted the significance for the largest Venezuelan community in the US, noting it allows parents to connect with children and grandparents with grandchildren.

“Parents will be able to connect with children, grandparents with grandchildren, and entire families with a home that shaped and raised them.”

Prior to the resumption, travelers relied on indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries. Delta and United Airlines ceased Venezuela flights in 2017 due to political crisis and declining demand, while American suspended in 2019. Nearly two dozen foreign airlines serve Venezuela, with about 40,000 flights scheduled for 2026, down from 130,000 at the 2013 peak.

Demand for the new routes is expected from visiting friends and relatives among Florida's Venezuelan diaspora, plus business travelers and tourists. The Trump administration has rolled back sanctions to encourage US investment in Venezuela's oil sector, which holds the world's largest reserves.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have led delegations there. Former US official Juan Gonzalez described the economic opening as rapid but the democratic process as slower, noting the removal of Maduro posters in Caracas and the end of Chavismo ideology, though the regime structure persists without Maduro.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded the 2019 flight ban in January, following Maduro's removal. Some airlines briefly suspended service during US military operations earlier this year but have since returned, including LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, and Turkish Airlines.

Passengers like Lennart Ochoa expressed excitement about direct travel to see family. Dual citizen Isabel Parra boarded amid anticipation and anxiety about conditions in Venezuela. For some, passport issues remain a barrier to returning home. It remains unclear if Delta or United will resume service.

American Airlines assessed security with regulators to ensure safe operations.