American Airlines announced plans to resume flights to Venezuela “as soon as April 30,” amid pending government approvals and security measures. The airline’s proposal includes “daily nonstop service between Miami (MIA) and Caracas, Venezuela (CSC).”
“American was the first airline to announce plans to restart service to Venezuela, and we are encouraged by the progress we’ve made with both governments,” Nate Gatten stated. Gatten is “American’s Executive Vice President of American Eagle, Corporate Real Estate and Government Affairs,” according to the airline’s website.
“We are grateful for the efforts of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the entire administration to help us reconnect the U.S. with Venezuela. Our return wouldn’t be possible without this strong partnership,” Gatten added.
“American’s Miami hub is the preeminent U.S. gateway to Latin America, and our service to Venezuela is a key part of our history and our future,” American’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nat Pieper, said. “Our commitment to connecting Venezuela with the U.S. spans more than 30 years, and we look forward to the new opportunities for commerce and strengthened ties with family and friends that our service will provide.”
U.S. Government Lifts Restrictions on Venezuela
According to Reuters, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy lifted a 2019 order in January that prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to the South American nation at President Trump’s discretion.
In March, Secretary Duffy approved American’s request for service to Venezuela.
The U.S. State Department also removed Venezuela from its “Do Not Travel” list for Americans, instead placing a “Reconsider Traveling” warning.
Sources who spoke with Reuters shared that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was in Caracas in March to review airport security measures.
American began service in Venezuela in 1987, the largest U.S. airline in the country before halting service in 2019. The airline affirmed its position as a crucial link between the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America, facilitating “business, family and friends, leisure and humanitarian travel.”
