In a significant move signaling a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, American Airlines has announced plans to resume flights to Venezuela after more than 6 years of suspended service. The airline's return is still pending official government approvals and thorough safety evaluations.

This comes shortly after a significant policy change from Washington. On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy officially lifted a 2019 ban that prohibited American carriers from operating flights to the South American nation. This decision followed direct instructions from former President Donald Trump, who recently spoke with Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez.

“The ongoing flight restrictions are no longer needed to serve the public interest,” Duffy stated in his announcement. Trump echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence in the safety of American travelers visiting Venezuela. “Very soon, Americans will be able to travel to Venezuela safely,” he said.

A Comeback After Years of Suspension

American Airlines halted its operations in Venezuela back in 2019 after the U.S. government imposed a flight ban due to escalating political instability. The situation intensified this month following a U.S. military operation that reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

While American is eager to reestablish its presence, other major carriers remain hesitant. United Airlines declined to comment on whether it plans to return to the Venezuelan market. Delta Air Lines did not issue a statement.

Before its suspension, American Airlines had a strong presence in Venezuela, launching services there in 1987. It was the leading U.S. airline operating in the country and offered regular flights catering to business travelers, tourists, and humanitarian missions.

The company has now announced plans to offer daily flights, aiming to reconnect the U.S. with Venezuela for both economic and personal travel.

Regulatory Hurdles Still in Place

Despite the Department of Transportation lifting the travel ban, other layers of federal regulations still apply. These include restrictions from the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security, as well as Venezuela’s categorization under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program.

This means that while the groundwork for resuming flights has been laid, it may still be several weeks—or even a few months—before planes actually take off. The FAA must first conduct detailed safety audits, and the Transportation Security Administration is also expected to conduct a comprehensive security review.

A Transportation Department spokesperson confirmed that an additional 2019 directive, still in effect, must be reversed because it prevents U.S. airlines from flying to Venezuela. This original restriction was made with input from the Department of Homeland Security and approved by the Secretary of State.

Safety Concerns Still Linger

Travel safety remains a significant concern. The U.S. State Department has kept Venezuela on its “Do Not Travel” advisory list, a designation that remains in effect as of now.

Adding to the complexity, the FAA recently warned U.S. airlines to exercise heightened caution when operating over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The warning cited concerns over military activities and GPS interference in those regions.

However, on Thursday, the FAA withdrew these warnings for most of the affected areas—including Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and parts of the eastern Pacific—stating that the earlier threats were no longer present.

Still, incidents in the region highlight lingering risks. Just last month, a JetBlue flight headed to New York had to swerve mid-air to avoid a U.S. Air Force tanker jet that was flying without an active transponder near Venezuelan airspace.

A Cautious But Promising Reopening

While the timeline for the return of commercial flights remains uncertain, American Airlines' decision to re-enter the Venezuelan market signals optimism. The FAA has expressed its readiness to assist in the safe restoration of air travel between the two nations.

“We’re committed to enabling the safe and secure resumption of flights between the U.S. and Venezuela,” an FAA spokesperson noted.

This potential reconnection is expected to provide a much-needed bridge for families, businesses, and humanitarian missions, offering renewed hope for stronger ties and safer skies.