President Trump announced Thursday that he has directed his administration to reopen commercial airspace over Venezuela, paving the way for Americans to travel to the country once again.
President Trump has instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and military leaders to take the necessary steps to open the airspace. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the safety of American citizens.
“American citizens will very shortly be able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” President Trump stated.
American Airlines, which previously suspended flights to Venezuela in 2019, has expressed its readiness to resume direct flights between the countries. The airline plans to collaborate with federal authorities to conduct security assessments and obtain the required permissions.
Nat Pieper, American’s chief commercial officer, highlighted the airline’s long-standing connection with Venezuela, stating, “We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the U.S., and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship. By restarting service to Venezuela, American will offer customers the opportunity to reunite with families and create new business and commerce with the United States.”
This move signals a potential shift in relations between the United States and Venezuela, with the Trump administration also notifying Congress of plans to potentially reopen the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. These steps toward restoring relations come after Nicolas Maduro’s ousting.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the lifting of precautionary measures previously in place for the region, stating, “Safety remains our top priority, and we look forward to facilitating the return of regular travel between the U.S. and Venezuela.”
