American Airlines plans daily Venezuela service pending federal security review

Carrier aims to become first US airline back to Venezuela since 2019 suspension, but faces FAA airspace assessments and State Department travel warnings before restart.

American Airlines is preparing to restart nonstop flights between the United States and Venezuela, positioning itself as the first US carrier to return to the country since service was halted in 2019, the airline said.

The carrier plans to operate daily flights but must first receive government authorization and complete security assessment processes. American says it remains in close contact with federal authorities and will coordinate with regulators, key stakeholders, union partners, and frontline teams before fully restarting operations.

The airline operated in Venezuela from 1987 and was the largest US carrier serving the nation before suspending service in 2019. American previously connected cities, including Caracas and Maracaibo, from its Miami International Airport hub.

The announcement comes as Washington moves to reopen commercial access to Venezuelan airspace following recent US military action that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, creating an opening for potential commercial service.

The Federal Aviation Administration must assess conditions before carriers can begin service. Active security concerns remain, including potential military activity and GPS interference threats to commercial flights. Military operations could spill over into civilian airspace, and ground risk perceptions remain high.

American already links more nonstop destinations between the US and the Caribbean and Latin America than any other airline. The carrier dominates north-south flying through its major US gateways, particularly Miami, which serves as its primary gateway to the region.

The State Department maintains a do-not-travel advisory for Venezuela, warning of threats including wrongful detention and kidnappings. The department has emphasized that approvals and security reviews are still pending.

No start date has been announced for the routes. Industry reports suggest service could resume in the months following FAA evaluations and related airspace guidance. The carrier aims to target business, leisure and humanitarian travel.