Avianca and Air Europe first airlines to resume flights to Venezuela

Several airlines have begun resuming or planning flights to Venezuela in early 2026 following the reopening of Venezuelan airspace and the lifting of previous restrictions by US authorities in late January.

Avianca confirmed the reactivation of its daily nonstop service between Bogotá in Colombia and Caracas, with operations restarting on 12 February 2026 after a comprehensive review of safety and operational conditions in coordination with relevant authorities.

Air Europa has also started a cautious return on the Madrid to Caracas route, with limited flights scheduled for 17, 20, and 22 February 2026 as the first steps in gradually restoring connectivity from Spain.

Air Europa has confirmed the gradual resumption of flights between Madrid and Caracas starting 17 February 2026, with initial services on 17, 20, and 22 February following the reopening of Venezuelan airspace and improved operational conditions. The airline plans to restore full frequencies later, while Plus Ultra will restart on 3 March with two weekly direct flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, expanding to three from 28 March.

Other carriers like Latam intend to relaunch Bogotá-Caracas services on 23 February with four weekly frequencies, reflecting broader regional recovery in connectivity after previous suspensions. Iberia remains cautious, awaiting full safety guarantees before potentially resuming in early April.

American Airlines announced in late January that it intends to resume daily nonstop service to Venezuela, marking the first US carrier to reconnect the two countries since flights were suspended in 2019. The plans remain subject to final government approvals, security assessments by the Federal Aviation Administration, and other regulatory clearances, with no specific start date or routes detailed yet, though Miami to Caracas is widely expected as the initial link. Other carriers, including Venezuelan airline Avior, have sought permissions to restart or expand services to US destinations such as Miami and Houston, while broader international interest grows amid improving conditions.