The first United States airline to restart service to Venezuela in seven years could do so by the end of April.
American Airlines said in an update on Thursday that it plans to offer one daily nonstop flight between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS) aboard an Embraer 175 regional aircraft as soon as April 30.
However, the carrier is still awaiting final government approval and security clearance, which will determine the official restart date of its route.
The Texas-based airline is the first U.S. carrier to announce plans to reenter the Venezuelan market following the Trump administration’s military operation in the South American nation and capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, in January.
The airline noted that it is working with both the Department of Transportation and the Department of State to relaunch its Venezuelan operations. American Airlines first launched flights to the country in 1987 but halted all service there in 2019, when the U.S. government suspended all passenger flights to the country due to unrest.
In March, the Department of Transportation rescinded the nation’s flight ban, and the State Department downgraded the travel advisory for Venezuela from “Level 4: Do Not Travel” to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” which is its second-highest ranking.
It all opened the door for Caracas to once again become a point on a U.S. carrier’s route map.
“American’s Miami hub is the preeminent U.S. gateway to Latin America, and our service to Venezuela is a key part of our history and our future,” said American’s Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper. “Our commitment to connecting Venezuela with the U.S. spans more than 30 years, and we look forward to the new opportunities for commerce and strengthened ties with family and friends that our service will provide.”
The Embraer jets that will be used on the new route will offer two cabins, a premium cabin and an economy class. All passengers will have access to Wi-Fi and in-seat power outlets on the flight.
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