American Airlines Resumes Venezuela Flights

First U.S. airline granted approval despite State Department warnings.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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American Airlines has received government approval to become the first U.S. airline to resume flights to Venezuela, even as the State Department continues to warn Americans against travel to the South American country.

Why it matters

This marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela, as the government has cleared the way for American Airlines to begin scheduling flights there despite ongoing political and economic instability in the country.

The details

American Airlines was the last U.S. airline flying to Venezuela when it suspended flights between Miami and the capital, Caracas, as well as the oil hub city of Maracaibo, in 2019. The airline announced its intent to restore service to Venezuela in January, on the same day the U.S. Transportation Department re-opened commercial airspace over the country following a military raid that ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.

  • American Airlines suspended flights to Venezuela in 2019.
  • The airline announced plans to resume flights in January 2026.
  • The U.S. government has now approved American Airlines to begin scheduling flights to Venezuela.

The players

American Airlines

A major U.S. airline that has received approval to become the first to resume flights to Venezuela.

U.S. State Department

The government agency that continues to warn Americans against travel to Venezuela due to ongoing political and economic instability.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who was ousted in a U.S. military raid, leading to the reopening of Venezuelan airspace for commercial flights.

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What’s next

Details of American Airlines' flight schedule to Venezuela are not yet available, but the airline is expected to begin scheduling flights in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This decision by the U.S. government to allow American Airlines to resume flights to Venezuela, despite ongoing State Department warnings, signals a potential shift in policy towards the country and could pave the way for other U.S. airlines to follow suit.