American Airlines Resumes Venezuela Flights
The U.S. Department of Transportation approved American Airlines to resume flights to Venezuela, marking the first time since 2019 that a major U.S. carrier will serve the route. This development comes as Middle East air disruptions continue affecting Asia-Europe routes, with thousands of Americans reportedly stranded in conflict zones.
The U.S. initially banned flights in May 2019, citing political instability and potential risks to aircraft. This followed a period of escalating tensions and civil unrest, with the U.S. government recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate leader over Nicolás Maduro. Prior to the complete ban, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had already prohibited U.S. carriers from flying below 26,000 feet over Venezuela, due to security concerns. At the time of the full suspension, American Airlines was the last major U.S. carrier serving the country, with routes from Miami to Caracas and Maracaibo. The diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela has been strained for over two decades, beginning with the rise of Hugo Chávez in 1999. Sanctions against Venezuelan officials and entities have been a long-standing tool of U.S. foreign policy, targeting individuals and key sectors like the state-owned oil company and the airline Conviasa. Despite the resumption of flights, the U.S. State Department maintains a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for Venezuela. This is the highest warning level, urging Americans not to travel to the country due to risks of wrongful detention, terrorism, and crime. The U.S. Embassy in Caracas suspended all consular services and withdrew diplomatic personnel in March 2019.
