Trump Announced US Airlines Can Resume Flights to Venezuela

US airlines are set to return to Venezuela four weeks after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro.

US President Donald Trump announced that US airlines would resume operations in Venezuela. On Thursday, Trump said, “We’re going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela.” He added, “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela and they’ll be safe there.”

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy officially canceled the 2019 order that barred US airlines from flying to Venezuela. The Federal Aviation Administration also removed four notices to airmen in the Caribbean, one of which relates to Venezuela.

The FAA said, “These NOTAMs were issued as precautionary measures and are no longer necessary.” It added, “Safety remains our top priority, and we look forward to facilitating the return of regular travel between the US and Venezuela.” 

Last month, more than 1,000 flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled due to a 24-hour airspace closure. Some travelers even spent thousands of dollars after being stuck away from home for up to a week.

American Airlines Is First to Reinstate Venezuela Flights

On Thursday, American Airlines announced that it was “proud to be the first airline to announce plans” to reinstate flights to Venezuela. However, tickets to the country will not be available anytime soon. 

American Airlines said it will share more details in the coming months. It added that American Airlines is working with federal authorities “on all necessary permissions and security assessments prior to resuming service.”

American Airlines started flights to Venezuela in 1987. The airline said that it was the biggest operator in the country before the 2019 suspension. That year, Venezuela’s national assembly declared Maduro’s electoral win as invalid. 

Nat Pieper, American’s chief commercial officer, said “We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the US, and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship.”