JetBlue announced Thursday that it will launch nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Caracas, Venezuela – its first-ever connection to the South American country.
The New York-based carrier did not provide an exact start date, saying only that it plans to have flights operating “before the end of the year.” Tickets are expected to become available for purchase “in the coming months.”
JetBlue said it will operate the route using Airbus A320 aircraft.
“Fort Lauderdale continues to serve as JetBlue’s gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, and we believe there is meaningful opportunity to expand our presence in the region with planned service to Caracas,” Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president for network planning and airline partnerships, said in a news release. “South Florida is home to a large Venezuelan community, and this new route would help connect families and loved ones with JetBlue’s competitive fares and award-winning service.”
The airline noted that the service remains subject to government approval.
The U.S. Department of Transportation dropped its ban on passenger and cargo flights to and from Venezuela in January following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is now in custody in New York and facing drug trafficking charges.
American was the first U.S. airline to return to the country; its Miami-Caracas service started April 30.
United has said it will reconnect Houston and Caracas in early August.
