American Airlines will be 1st US airline to return to Venezuela after Trump lifts flight ban
January 30, 2026
American Airlines says it will become the first US carrier to restart nonstop flights between the United States and Venezuela, following a major policy reversal that ends a ban in place since 2019.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the airline said it plans to reinstate daily service, but the return remains pending government approval and security assessments.
The move comes after the Trump administration ordered restrictions removed that had prevented US airlines from operating routes to Venezuela for nearly seven years.
American: ready to resume service to Venezuela, supporting businesses, families, and leisure
American said it is “ready to commence flights to Venezuela,” but emphasised that service will only return after clearance from federal authorities and required evaluations.
“We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the US, and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship,” said Nat Pieper, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “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.”
The airline said resuming routes would support “business, leisure and humanitarian travel” once it receives approval and completes security checks.
American began operating in Venezuela in 1987 and, before suspending service in 2019, it was the largest US airline in the country. The airline offers the most nonstop flights between the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America of any US carrier.
Why US–Venezuela flights stopped in 2019, and why they’re restarting
US carriers suspended direct service to Venezuela in 2019 after the US government restricted flights, citing safety and security concerns. American was the last US airline operating in Venezuela at the time.
The airline’s planned return follows an abrupt shift in US policy under President Donald Trump. The policy change came after a US military operation earlier this month that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
President Trump announced the reopening of commercial airspace to Venezuela during a recent White House cabinet meeting after a telephone conversation he had with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez.
“We’re going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela,” Trump said, as quoted by The Guardian. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela and they’ll be safe there.”
Despite the change, Venezuela remains under a US State Department “Do Not Travel” advisory, last updated on December 5, 2025. This suggests that significant security concerns remain for US citizens in the country, even as flights are set to resume.
How soon will American return to Venezuela?
No formal date has been set for American’s return to Venezuela. However, President Trump’s remarks suggest there is a sense of urgency to ensure scheduled air service from the US to Venezuela remains available.
For American to resume service, the airline will need to complete the formal clearance process, including coordination with agencies such as the FAA and TSA.
American said it will coordinate with regulators, stakeholders and unions as it prepares for a potential return to the Venezuelan market.
If approved, the return would mark the first scheduled commercial reconnection between the US and Venezuela by a US airline in more than six years—and a significant milestone in the rapidly shifting US–Venezuela relationship.
Featured Image: American Airlines
