US Lifts Seven-Year Ban on Direct Flights to Venezuela, First Flights Resume April 30
DHS Secretary Mullin signed the order rescinding the 2019 flight suspension, effective April 15. American Airlines plans to resume daily Miami-Caracas service at the end of the month, the latest step in a rapid US-Venezuela normalization following Maduro's capture in January.
The Department of Homeland Security formally rescinded the seven-year ban on direct commercial flights between the United States and Venezuela, publishing the notice in the Federal Register on Thursday. American Airlines plans to resume daily Miami-Caracas service on April 30 -- the first direct flights since May 2019.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin signed the rescission order on April 15, determining that "conditions in Venezuela no longer threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew." The TSA conducted a security assessment of Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas in late February and concluded that "sufficient security measures have been implemented" to begin operations.
What Changed
The original suspension was imposed on May 15, 2019 by then-Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan during the Venezuelan political crisis. At the time, the US cited civil unrest, TSA's inability to access Venezuelan airports, State Department warnings, and the "risk of Maduro regime actions." American Airlines, the last US carrier operating the route, had already suspended service.
The Department of Transportation rescinded its parallel suspension order on January 29, 2026, following a presidential directive from Trump. DHS's notice, published today, completes the regulatory process.
The Broader Normalization
The flight resumption is one step in a rapid US-Venezuela normalization since US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro on January 3:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| January 3 | US military operation captures Maduro |
| January 29 | DOT rescinds flight suspension order |
| February 22-24 | TSA assesses Caracas airport security |
| March 14 | US Embassy reopens in Caracas |
| March 19 | State Department downgrades Venezuela travel advisory from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) |
| April 1 | US lifts sanctions on interim President Delcy Rodriguez |
| April 14 | Treasury eases sanctions to allow Venezuelan central bank transactions |
| April 15 | DHS flight ban rescission takes effect |
| April 30 | American Airlines scheduled to resume Miami-Caracas flights |
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after Maduro's capture, has called for the US to go further. "Venezuela free of sanctions" is the goal, she said this week, arguing that the piecemeal relief hasn't been enough to address the country's economic crisis.
What's Still Restricted
The travel advisory remains at Level 3. The State Department warns travelers to reconsider travel due to crime, kidnapping, and poor health infrastructure, and maintains "Do Not Travel" designations for the Venezuela-Colombia border region and Amazonas state.
DHS is still conducting airport assessments beyond Caracas. The notice states that airlines desiring to commence service must notify the TSA, and individual airport evaluations will proceed as carriers request new routes.
Pardoned individuals who held Venezuelan government roles remain under some US sanctions. The broader sanctions architecture -- targeting oil exports, state-owned enterprises, and individual officials -- remains partially in place despite the recent easing.