American Flight Heads to Caracas as Commercial Flights to Venezuela Resume

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Wall Street heliport ahead of his appearance in federal court in New York, US, on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Photo by Michael Nagle /Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloo

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(Bloomberg) — American Airlines Group Inc. resumed flights to Venezuela after a seven-year hiatus, as President Donald Trump pushes to restore commercial and diplomatic ties after ordering the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

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With Trump administration officials on hand to mark the moment, American held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Miami International Airport gate for the flight to mark the return of nonstop service to Caracas. Passengers on the first flight — which is a little over three hours — were served coffee and arepas, a staple in Venezuelan cuisine.

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The daily flights, operated by American unit Envoy Air, will increase to two per day starting on May 21. The Embraer E175 aircraft used in Thursday’s flight, which carries about 75 passengers, was adorned with a red, white and blue “America 250” decal — a reference to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the resumption “a critical milestone in strengthening the United States’ relationship with Venezuela and unleashing economic opportunity in both countries,” according to a statement. He said more flights to Venezuela would be scheduled in the coming months.

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The flight is further evidence of Washington’s effort to strengthen ties with — and offer economic incentives to — the interim government of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez following the US military operation that captured Maduro. Trump has repeatedly praised Rodríguez — who was Maduro’s vice president — and the two countries have resumed diplomatic ties.

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The US has issued licenses intended to facilitate oil trading and production. During a visit to Venezuela’s oil facilities earlier this year, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said there was “absolutely overwhelming” interest in the country from investors. Washington has been pressing private companies to shoulder most of the burden of revitalizing crude output in Venezuela, which has the world’s largest reserves.

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The US and Venezuela “are restoring our partnership, rebuilding economic ties, and facilitating unprecedented investments,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said. She cited the Trump administration’s three-phase plan for Venezuela focused on stabilizing the nation, spurring an economic recovery, and transitioning to democracy.

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At the same time, an AtlasIntel survey conducted for Bloomberg News in April found rising disapproval of Rodriguez’s government, with Venezuelans growing increasingly impatient about the bleak economic outlook, even after Maduro’s removal. Most Venezuelans had expected the economy and job market would improve within six months as the US eased sanctions and the government rolled out reforms to attract investment.

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American in 2019 became the final US airline to cease flights to Venezuela around the time the US recognized Juan Guaido as interim president and tightened economic and diplomatic restrictions as part of a policy to try and remove Maduro from power. In the years since, travelers needed to pass through third countries, often Panama and the Dominican Republic, to get to Venezuela.