American Airlines Plans Return to Venezuela After Trump Orders Airspace Reopened
American Airlines announced on Thursday its intention to resume daily nonstop service to Venezuela, positioning itself as the first United States carrier to restore commercial air links following a significant shift in diplomatic policy. The announcement follows a directive from President Donald Trump to reopen Venezuelan airspace to U.S. aircraft, effectively reversing a suspension that had been in place since 2019.
The airline confirmed it is prepared to restart operations pending final government approvals and required security assessments. American Airlines, which maintained a presence in Venezuela for over 30 years prior to the ban, stated that the resumed flights would facilitate family reunions and business travel. Nat Pieper, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, expressed eagerness to renew the relationship between the two nations, highlighting the carrier’s long history in the region.
This development comes in the wake of rapid geopolitical changes, including a recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro. President Trump stated that he had communicated with acting President Delcy Rodríguez regarding the airspace reopening, asserting that American citizens would soon be safe to travel to the country.
However, significant operational and safety challenges remain before flights can officially commence. Despite the executive move to open airspace, the U.S. State Department has not yet rescinded its “Do Not Travel” advisory, which warns of crime, civil unrest, and potential wrongful detention. Aviation analysts also caution that Venezuelan airport infrastructure may have deteriorated during the years of isolation, potentially complicating immediate service resumption. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must still conduct rigorous safety reviews to ensure that conditions meet regulatory standards.
American Airlines has not provided a specific timeline for the first flight but indicated that further details regarding routes and schedules would be shared in the coming months as regulatory hurdles are cleared.
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