U.S. airlines suspended direct flights to Venezuela in 2019 due to safety, security concerns, crime risks, and U.S. government advisories (including potential detention of American citizens).
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security lifted the formal suspension of direct passenger and cargo flights earlier in 2026 (with the DHS notice retroactively effective around mid-April). This followed broader policy shifts, including after the reported capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The resumption is widely seen as a sign of thawing relations and improved conditions for travel and commerce between the two countries.
American Airlines received approvals and loaded the route into its schedule: Direct flights go from Miami to Caracas (MIA-CCS/MAR). Tickets are now available for purchase. The resumption is subject to final government approvals and security assessments from both sides.
This marks the first regular U.S. commercial passenger service to Venezuela since the 2019 halt. Other airlines may follow, but American is leading the restart. Early bookings are primarily expected to consist of Venezuelan diaspora visiting family, business travelers, and individuals returning to the country. With over 1 million Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. as of 2024, the demand is largely driven by family reunification rather than religious tourism.
As a predominantly Catholic country, Venezuela has several Catholic places of interest that will no doubt appeal to Catholic travelers.
For those of you who traveled to Betania, Venezuela to see the mystic Maria Esperanza, this may bring back some memories……since this was the route most often taken from the U.S. back in the 1990’s. In fact, there were pilgrimages to Betania most months of the year. Once Maria died…and the government became more repressive, interest in traveling to Betania naturally faded away.
Despite the resumption of commercial flights from the U.S., the current U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Venezuela (as of March 19, 2026) is Level 3 – Reconsider Travel due to risks of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure. Some areas carry an even higher Level 4 risk (Do Not Travel).
This is an improvement from the previous Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. The update removed specific indicators for “wrongful detention,” “unrest,” and “other” risks, coinciding with the phased resumption of U.S. embassy operations in Venezuela (starting January 2026) and the restart of direct flights. However, the core concerns remain significant.