According to AFP, an American Airlines flight departed from Miami International Airport in Florida, US, at 10:26 this morning (21:26 Hanoi time). The aircraft was expected to land at Simon Bolivar Airport in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, after more than three hours, before returning to Florida later that afternoon.
This marks the first direct flight between the US and Venezuela since 2019, when the US Department of Homeland Security ordered an indefinite suspension of flights due to security concerns.
Passengers on the flight primarily included officials and journalists, with senior US officials traveling to Caracas to meet with representatives of the Venezuelan government.
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An American Airlines flight at Miami International Airport, Florida, before its departure to Venezuela on 30/4. Photo: *AP*.
Representatives from Miami city and Venezuela's Ambassador to the US, Felix Plasencia, greeted passengers at the gate for this special flight. American Airlines staff distributed small Venezuelan flags to passengers, while the in-flight menu featured traditional Venezuelan dishes, such as corn pancakes and chicken salad.
“I am very excited to visit my family and eager to come to this country. Just being able to visit my family on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas is priceless,” said passenger Lennart Ochoa just before boarding. He added that he bought his ticket as soon as it became available.
The US airline previously announced it would begin its next flights between Miami and Caracas from 21/5.
The resumption of direct commercial flights between the two countries is seen as a sign of thawing relations, following the US's arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise raid in January. The US also reopened its embassy in Caracas last month, after fully restoring diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
US President Donald Trump stated in late January that he had informed interim President Delcy Rodriguez that Venezuela's entire commercial airspace would be reopened. “US citizens will soon be able to travel to Venezuela and be safe there,” he said.
