First direct US-Venezuela flight in 7 years lands in Caracas

The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela landed in Caracas on Thursday, seven years after the US Homeland Security Department indefinitely suspended operations, citing security risks.

Operated by American Airlines subsidiary Envoy Air, the flight took off at 10.26 a.m. (14:26 GMT) from Miami and landed in Venezuela's capital city some three hours later. 

This comes months after US forces captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January.

It also comes a month after the US formally reopened its embassy in the city, afterresuming full diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

Scenes from the ground

At the Miami International Airport, American Airlines staff handed passengers small Venezuelan flags, and balloons in red, yellow and blue lined the door leading to the plane.

On arrival at Caracas, two fire trucks hosed down the airplane on the tarmac in celebration. 

The flight carried US National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen, along with several other passengers.

Agen is set to meet with Venezuelan officials and representatives from the energy and mining industries as part of Washington's efforts to help US companies enter the South American market. 

Commuters 'super excited'

"I'm very excited to go and see the family, and I'm looking forward to see the country," passenger Lennart Ochoa told the Associated Press shortly before boarding.

He said that he got his ticket as soon as it was available. "Just to go and see the family on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas is priceless."

Isabel Parra, a travel agent originally from Venezuela, said she had not returned to the country since 2018 and was "super excited."

"For years we had to go through Curacao, the Dominican Republic or Bogota, so having this direct flight is a real pleasure," Parra said. 

Restoring diplomacy one flight at a time

The flight symbolizes the end of Venezuela's years-long isolation by the United States.

In late January, US President Donald Trump said he would open up all commercial airspace over the country, allowing Americans to visit.

"American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they'll be safe there," Trump had said.

For the past seven years, passengers have relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries.

In January, when American Airlines announced the resumption of flights, it said it would allow customers to reunite with families and pursue new business opportunities.

Edited by: Zac Crellin