Flights to Venezuela are back on the cards for the first time in six years.
Nearly four weeks after the US launched military strikes in the country and captured Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump announced plans to airlines to resume flights to the country.
“We’re going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela,” Trump said on Thursday. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela and they’ll be safe there.”
Late Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded a 2019 order that barred US airlines from flying to Venezuela, Reuters reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration also said it had removed four notices to airmen in the Caribbean region, including one related to Venezuela.
“These NOTAMs were issued as precautionary measures and are no longer necessary,” it said. “Safety remains our top priority, and we look forward to facilitating the return of regular travel between the US and Venezuela.”
Nearly 1,000 flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled when the region’s airspace was closed for 24 hours due to the military activity earlier this month. Some travelers spent thousands of dollars extra as they spent an extra week away from home.
American Airlines said on Thursday that it was “proud to be the first airline to announce plans” to reinstate flights to Venezuela.
However, it could be some time before tickets are on sale.
In its announcement, American said it would share additional details “in the coming months.”
It added that it was working with federal authorities “on all necessary permissions and security assessments prior to resuming service.”
American first started serving Venezuela in 1987 and said it was the biggest operator there before suspending flights in 2019.
That year saw the country’s political situation deteriorate as Venezuela’s national assembly declared Maduro’s reelection was invalid.
“We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the US, and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship,” said Nat Pieper, American’s chief commercial officer.
“By restarting service to Venezuela, American will offer customers the opportunity to reunite with families and create new business and commerce with the United States,” he added.
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