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US Venezuela direct flight resumes with Miami to Caracas commercial service after seven-year pause
A direct commercial flight from the United States to Venezuela departed from Miami to Caracas, restarting service after a seven-year suspension linked to security concerns. The flight’s return follows the reopening of the US Embassy in Caracas and restored diplomatic relations. Passengers marked the departure with Venezuelan flags and gate decorations.
A nonstop commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela resumed on Thursday morning. It left Miami for Caracas after a seven-year pause. The US Homeland Security Department had ordered an indefinite suspension, citing security concerns. The service restarted months after a US raid in Caracas in early January.
Flight AA3599, run by Envoy Air for American Airlines, departed at 10:11 am EDT. That was five minutes earlier than the posted schedule, airport data showed. The plane was due to reach Caracas about three hours later. It was also set to return to Florida later on Thursday afternoon.
US Venezuela flight restart follows diplomatic changes
The restart came a month after the United States reopened its embassy in Caracas. The reopening followed the return of full diplomatic relations with Venezuela. The resumption also followed the US capture of then President Nicolas Maduro. The capture happened in a nighttime raid on Maduro’s residence in Caracas in early January.
In late January, US President Donald Trump said commercial airspace would reopen. Trump said Trump had informed Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Trump also said Americans could travel safely. "American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and theyll be safe there,\" Trump said at the time.
US Venezuela flight restart brings back direct Miami Caracas route
American Airlines staff gave passengers small Venezuelan flags at the gate. Balloons in yellow, blue and red decorated the door leading to the aircraft. Passenger Lennart Ochoa from Miami spoke before boarding. \"Im very excited to go and see the family and Im looking forward to see the country,\" Ochoa said.
Ochoa said Ochoa bought a ticket as soon as sales opened. \"Just to go and see the family on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas is priceless,\" Ochoa said. Officials also spoke about family reunions. \"Parents will be able to connect with children, grandparents with grandchildren, and entire families with a home that shaped and raised them,\" Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
US Venezuela flight restart ends years of indirect travel
The flights restored nonstop travel for the first time since 2019. That year, the two countries cut diplomatic ties. For seven years, travellers used indirect routes. Many relied on international carriers through nearby Latin American countries. The renewed route reduced travel time for passengers flying between Miami and Caracas.
American Airlines had been the last US carrier serving Venezuela. American Airlines halted flights in 2019 from Miami to Caracas. It also stopped service to Maracaibo, the oil hub city. Delta and United Airlines had already left in 2017. Their exits followed a political crisis that drove millions to leave Venezuela.
American Airlines said earlier that a second daily Miami–Caracas flight starts on May 21. In January, the airline said the route would help customers reunite. The airline also cited new business travel. Miami-Dade is home to the largest Venezuelan community in the United States, officials said.
With inputs from PTI
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