The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years arrived in Caracas on April 30, marking a new sign of a thaw after Washington deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro and resumed diplomatic relations following years of tension. Photo / Federico Parra, AFP
The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years arrived in Caracas on April 30, marking a new sign of a thaw after Washington deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro and resumed diplomatic relations following years of tension. Photo / Federico Parra, AFP
A relaunched Miami-Caracas flight after seven years of a standstill is paving the way for Venezuela to reclaim its status as a bustling aviation hub.
The United States is home to 1.2 million Venezuelans out of a 7.9-million-strong diaspora, according to United Nations data.
But direct US flights to itsSouth American neighbour abruptly halted in May 2019, when President Donald Trump refused to recognise Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s disputed election win and Caracas severed diplomatic ties.
Things have changed drastically, however, since US troops captured Maduro in a deadly raid on January 3.
Under Trump’s watchful eye, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has embarked on reforms, including opening Venezuela’s oil and mining sectors to private companies.
The reopening follows Trump’s declaration in November that Venezuelan airspace should be considered shuttered during a US military deployment which eventually culminated in Maduro’s capture.
The statement, coupled with a US Federal Aviation Administration warning in December, led to mass flight cancellations and reduced connectivity by over two-thirds.
The upheaval fed into Venezuela’s pre-existing isolation, with most major international airlines having already halted connections to the country given the government’s enormous unpaid debt.
Staff and ground crew hold up their phones as American Airlines Flight 3599, operating from Miami International Airport to Caracas, Venezuela, on a nonstop flight to Venezuela, the first between the US and Venezuela in seven years, watch as it departs Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida. Photo / Chandan Khanna, AFP
In November, it was operating only 105 weekly international flights through 12 airlines – a small number for such a strategically located country.
With 151 weekly international flights currently in operation, Venezuelan Airline Association (ALAV) president Marisela de Loaiza views increasing air traffic as crucial for normalisation.
“The route between Venezuela and the United States is a natural connection, given the long-standing relations between both countries and Venezuelans’ preference for travelling there,” Loaiza said.
Copa Airlines operates the most flights, including 19 per week to Panama, and in March, Brazil’s GOL launched four weekly flights from Sao Paulo.
When security conditions improved, “we had no choice but to come back – very gladly,” said GOL adviser Alberto Fajerman.
Long-haul flights to Europe are mostly handled by Turkish Airlines and Spanish carrier Iberia.
Venezuelan airlines Estelar, Laser and Plus Ultra also offer flights to the Spanish capital.
ALAV’s Loaiza is confident that reinstating connectivity will encourage other US companies to relaunch strategic routes – particularly from Houston, which is vital for the oil industry.
Some believe direct flights would incentivise investors to explore opportunities in Venezuela.
A ribbon in the colors of the Venezuelan flag is cut following the arrival of an American Eagle, operating a regional flight for American Airlines, aircraft at Simon Bolivar International Airport. Photo / Federico Parra, AFP
Loaiza is also hoping for a revival of “nostalgia tourism” for diaspora members.
“One of the first waves we’re expecting is that of Venezuelans who are coming back to visit their families and to make it easier for their children, who don’t know the country, to travel here,” Loaiza said.
But she warned that reactivating consular services was essential, given the large number of Venezuelans who require a US visa.
