American Airlines is preparing to resume commercial flights between the United States and Venezuela. This operation, suspended since 2019, may now be reactivated following a political and regulatory shift in Washington. On Thursday, the airline confirmed its plan to restart daily service, though it clarified that the final decision remains subject to government approval and exhaustive security evaluations.
The announcement comes just weeks after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela resulted in the detention of President Nicolás Maduro. This event has reconfigured the regional political landscape and opened the door for a potential partial normalization of air traffic.
Role of the White House and the Department of Transportation
The turning point occurred this Thursday when President Donald Trump requested that the Department of Transportation lift the restrictions currently prohibiting U.S. commercial flights to Venezuela. This request followed discussions with the country’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Trump stated publicly that “American citizens will very soon be able to travel to Venezuela and will be safe there”. While this declaration carries significant political weight, in operational terms, it must still be translated into formal authorizations and concrete protocols.
A Familiar Market for American Airlines
American Airlines is not a new player in the Venezuelan market. The company began operations in the country in 1987 and was the largest U.S. airline operating in Venezuela prior to the 2019 suspension.
Airline representatives noted that restoring service would reactivate:
- Business travel and Tourism.
- Humanitarian flights, a particularly relevant component given the prolonged aerial disconnection between the two nations.
FAA: A Critical Factor Before Takeoff
Despite the announcement, the return will not be immediate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must conduct security assessments of the airspace before authorizing any operations. According to American Airlines, flights are not expected to begin for several months.
The potential return of American Airlines to Venezuela signals a clear change for both the aviation industry and bilateral relations. However, key questions remain regarding specific timelines, operational conditions, real risk assessments, and the impact of a volatile geopolitical environment.
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.