Blocked Air Route Reopens: US–Venezuela Flight Ban Lifted

New York, Financial News – Lee Byung-chulThe chances of resuming flights between the United States of America (USA) and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the first time in six years have grown. Donald Trump has ordered a full reopening of commercial airspace over the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and a US carrier has begun preparing to restart direct flights.
On the 29th (local time), American Airlines announced plans to resume direct services between the USA and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The move came shortly after Trump instructed federal agencies to allow all commercial flights through the airspace of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Trump stated during a cabinet meeting that he had informed the Venezuelan leadership of his decision to reopen the airspace. He said that US citizens would "soon be able to visit Venezuela" and stressed that "it will be safe."
Trump directed the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as the military and other relevant agencies, to complete the procedures for reopening the airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is ready to support the return of regular flights between the two countries.
American Airlines explained that it is working closely with federal authorities and can resume operations as soon as government approval and security assessments are completed. The airline plans to announce a detailed flight schedule in the coming months.
Direct flights between the USA and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela were completely banned in 2019 under an order from the USDOT during the First presidency of Donald Trump. If services do resume, American Airlines will become the first US carrier to restore routes to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela since that measure was imposed.
Earlier this month, the FAA designated the airspace over the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean Sea as a no-fly zone for civilian aircraft due to US military operations. The emergency order has since expired and was replaced with an advisory urging caution when flying in the area.
That advisory was originally expected to remain in place until early February, but it was withdrawn immediately after Trump’s remarks on reopening the airspace.
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pride@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Byung-chul Reporter