American to Restore Venezuela Flights As Diplomatic Ties Shift

American Airlines has revealed plans to resume daily flights between the US and Venezuela, potentially becoming the first US carrier to restore scheduled service to the country since operations were suspended in 2019 due to civil unrest.

Regulatory, safety, and security steps

The airline says it is actively engaging with federal authorities and is prepared to begin service once all government approvals and security assessments are completed.

Details such as specific routes and launch dates will be shared in the coming months as the airline works through these regulatory requirements.

Historic ties and the importance of Venezuela's routes

American first began flying to Venezuela in 1987. Before suspending service seven years ago, it had grown to be the largest US airline operating in the market, offering nonstop links that connected families, business travelers, tourists, and humanitarian missions to the US.

The carrier’s network across the Caribbean and Latin America already features more nonstop destinations to the US than any competitor, and restoring Venezuelan service would revive an important connection for travel and commerce between the two countries.

Shifting geopolitical dynamics

The announcement coincides with evolving diplomatic and security developments between the US and Venezuela. In early January 2026, the FAA temporarily banned US carriers from operating over Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean airspace due to concerns about military activity and aviation security.

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