The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela has resumed, seven years after the U.S. Homeland Security Department ordered an indefinite suspension. This re-entry of U.S. commercial capital into Venezuelan airspace follows the U.S. capture of then President Nicolás Maduro in early January. It also follows the U.S. formally reopening its embassy in Caracas one month ago, restoring full diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
Flight AA3599, operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, departed Miami at 10:11 a.m. EDT (1411 GMT). This departure was five minutes ahead of its scheduled time, according to Miami International Airport flight departure information. The flight was due to arrive approximately three hours later in the Venezuelan capital and return to Florida later the same afternoon.
Imperial Re-entry
For the past seven years, direct nonstop travel between the U.S. and Venezuela had been severed, with diplomatic ties officially broken in 2019. During this period, passengers relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries. The U.S. Homeland Security Department had cited "security concerns" when it ordered the indefinite suspension of direct flights.
American Airlines was the last U.S. airline to maintain routes to Venezuela, suspending its flights in 2019. This included services between Miami and Caracas, and to the oil hub city of Maracaibo. Earlier, in 2017, Delta and United Airlines had already ceased operations in the country. Their withdrawal occurred amid a political crisis that, according to reports, forced millions to flee the country.
In late January, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he had informed Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez of his decision. Trump declared he would open up all commercial airspace over the country. He asserted at the time that “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there.”
Capital's Return
American Airlines has already announced plans for further expansion, stating that a second daily flight between Miami and Caracas will commence on May 21. This move signals a swift re-establishment of market access for U.S. aviation capital.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava commented on the resumption of flights before boarding began. She stated that “Parents will be able to connect with children, grandparents with grandchildren, and entire families with a home that shaped and raised them.” Mayor Levine Cava also noted that “Miami-Dade is home to the largest Venezuelan community in the United States.”
American Airlines staff distributed small Venezuelan flags to passengers, and balloons in the colors yellow, blue, and red adorned the gate door. Passenger Lennart Ochoa of Miami expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m very excited to go and see the family and I’m looking forward to see the country.” Ochoa added that he was “ready to go” and secured his ticket as soon as they became available, calling the direct flight “priceless.”