American Airlines on Tuesday launched nonstop service between Miami and Maracaibo, Venezuela, the carrier’s second connection to the country.
Going forward, flights will operate daily using Embraer E175 aircraft. The carrier is using La Chinita International Airport, which is located south of Maracaibo proper.
American reestablished the air link between the U.S. and Venezuela in April with the resumption of flights between Miami and Caracas. The federal government banned passenger and cargo flights to and from Venezuela in 2019 as the country entered a period of extreme economic and political instability, but that order was reversed in January following the capture and extradition of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Relations between the two governments have somewhat normalized in the months since.
American’s service to Caracas has been suspended since June 24, when two earthquakes caused significant widespread damage across northwestern and central Venezuela. Flights will resume when the airport in Caracas reopens to commercial traffic, the airline said.
United plans to resume nonstop service between Houston Bush and Caracas next month. JetBlue has said it will connect Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Caracas, but no start date has been announced.
