The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela landed in Caracas on May 1, 2026, ending a seven-year suspension imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over security concerns.
Flight AA3599, operated by Envoy Air, a regional affiliate of American Airlines, departed from Miami International Airport and arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport. The flight carried passengers including U.S. and Venezuelan officials, as well as business representatives.
The resumption follows diplomatic negotiations between the two countries, which have not had direct flights since 2019 when the U.S. suspended air travel due to safety and security issues in Venezuela. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration and Venezuelan authorities have implemented new security protocols to ensure safe operations.
American Airlines plans to operate daily flights between Miami and Caracas, with potential expansion to other cities. The move is expected to boost trade and travel between the two nations, though political tensions remain.
