American Airlines Seeks Approval for Miami-Venezuela Flights

Airline subsidiary requests U.S. permission to resume service after 2019 halt

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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American Airlines' subsidiary Envoy Air has requested U.S. Department of Transportation approval to resume scheduled commercial flights between Miami and two Venezuelan cities, Caracas and Maracaibo. The airline previously operated the route from 1987 until halting service in 2019, and is now moving quickly to reinstate what was once a popular route, citing increased demand from the local Venezuelan expat community.

Why it matters

The potential resumption of direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela would be a significant development, as there have been no such commercial routes since American Airlines ceased operations in 2019. This could ease travel for the Venezuelan expat community in South Florida and signal a gradual normalization of economic relations between the two countries.

The details

Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, has submitted a six-page application to the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting exemption authority to operate scheduled flights between Miami and the Venezuelan cities of Caracas and Maracaibo. The airline is seeking approval for at least a two-year period to "engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail." Once approved, the flights would be operated using smaller planes that would display the American Airlines branding, and reservations would be available through the American Airlines website.

  • On January 24, 2026, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Transportation to take steps to reopen air service to Venezuela.
  • On January 29, 2026, the Department of Transportation rescinded a 2019 order that had suspended foreign air transportation between the United States and Venezuela.

The players

Envoy Air

A subsidiary of American Airlines Group that previously operated as the regional carrier American Eagle. Envoy Air has submitted the application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to resume flights between Miami and Venezuela.

American Airlines

The largest U.S. airline that previously operated flights between Miami and Venezuela from 1987 until halting service in 2019. American Airlines plans to reinstate nonstop service between the United States and Venezuela once government approval is obtained.

U.S. Department of Transportation

The federal agency that is responsible for reviewing and approving Envoy Air's application to resume commercial flights between Miami and Venezuela.

Nicolás Maduro

The former Venezuelan dictator who was removed and arrested by the U.S. military in January 2026 under orders from President Donald Trump.

Delcy Rodríguez

The current leader of Venezuela appointed by the Trump administration after the removal of Nicolás Maduro, despite her history of human rights violations and state repression.

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What’s next

The U.S. Department of Transportation will review and decide on Envoy Air's application to resume commercial flights between Miami and Venezuela. If approved, American Airlines plans to quickly reinstate the route, which was once one of its more popular international destinations.

The takeaway

The potential resumption of direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela, after a multi-year hiatus, represents a significant development that could ease travel for the Venezuelan expat community in South Florida and signal a gradual normalization of economic relations between the two countries, despite the continued leadership of Delcy Rodríguez, who has a history of human rights abuses.