The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela landed in Caracas on Thursday, seven years after the US Department of Homeland Security indefinitely suspended operations citing security risks.
Operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, the flight took off from Miami at 10.26 a.m. (14:26 GMT) and landed in the Venezuelan capital about three hours later.
This comes just months after US forces captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise night-time raid on his residence in Caracas in early January.
It also comes a month after the US formally reopened its embassy in the city, after establishing full diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
view from ground
At Miami International Airport, American Airlines employees handed out small Venezuelan flags to passengers, and placed red, yellow and blue balloons at the door leading to the plane.
Upon reaching Caracas, two fire engines drove the airplane into the street to celebrate.
US National Energy Dominance Counsel Jerrod Agen was also on board the flight, along with several other passengers.
Agen is set to meet Venezuelan officials and representatives of the energy and mining industries as part of Washington’s efforts to help US companies enter the South American market.
passengers very excited
“I’m very excited to go and see the family, and I’m looking forward to seeing the country,” passenger Lennart Ochoa told The Associated Press shortly before boarding.
He said he got the ticket as soon as it became available. “Going on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas and seeing the family is priceless.”
Travel agent Isabel Parra, originally from Venezuela, said she had not returned to the country since 2018 and was “very excited.”
“For years we had to go through Curaçao, the Dominican Republic or Bogotá, so this direct flight is a real joy,” Parra said.
Restoring diplomacy one flight at a time
The flight marks the end of years of isolation of Venezuela by the United States.
In late January, US President Donald Trump said he would open all commercial airspace in the country, allowing Americans to travel.
Trump had said, “American citizens will soon be able to go to Venezuela and they will be safe there.”
For the past seven years, travelers have relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries.
In January, when American Airlines announced plans to resume flights, it said it would allow customers to reunite with families and pursue new business opportunities.
Edited by: Zack Crellin