Avior Airlines Seeks US Approval to Reopen Venezuela-Miami Routes

Venezuelan carrier Avior Airlines has officially submitted an application to the Department of Transportation for approval to operate flights connecting Caracas, Maracaibo, and Barcelona in Venezuela to Miami. This move comes in the wake of a January 29, 2026 announcement by former President Donald Trump, who revoked an earlier order restricting air travel between the United States and Venezuela. The anticipated flights are contingent upon the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) granting of Category 1 status.

Before the suspension of services, routes between Venezuela and the United States facilitated travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, with Miami serving as the primary gateway. The application by Avior signals a significant step toward restoring direct air connections that were once vital to the flow of travelers between these two countries.

Impact of Nonstop Flights on Travel and Economics

Miami International Airport (MIA) was a key hub for Venezuelan passenger traffic prior to the service shutdown. As a result, the absence of direct flights forced many travelers to reroute through regional hubs such as Panama City, Santo Domingo, and Bogotá. This rerouting not only extended travel times by several hours but also led to fare increases of double-digit percentages. The return of nonstop flights threatens to disrupt this “middleman” model, potentially restoring Miami’s dominance as a major transit point.

Avior’s application specifically requests the authority to operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights from Caracas, Maracaibo, and Barcelona to the United States, positioning Miami as the airline’s primary entry point. According to pre-pandemic industry data, American Airlines alone supported over 600,000 round-trip passengers on US-Venezuela routes annually. Avior aims to tap into this pent-up demand, capitalizing on the growing interest in reinstating US-Venezuela air service.

The re-establishment of these routes could significantly impact MIA’s international passenger totals, which surpassed 52 million travelers in 2024. For Caribbean and Central American hubs, such as Copa Airlines, which heavily relied on Venezuelan transfer traffic, the shift may necessitate a reevaluation of flight schedules and capacities, particularly on short-haul routes.

Cargo Potential and Broader Regional Connectivity

In addition to passenger traffic, cargo transport plays a crucial role in the resurgence of direct flights. Prior to the service suspension, air routes from Venezuela to the United States transported large quantities of freight, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, and industrial components. Nonstop flights significantly reduce transit times and handling costs, making them particularly appealing for time-sensitive shipments that utilize Miami’s cargo facilities.

The reopening of air routes is occurring alongside a broader normalization of Venezuela’s international connections. Recently, several suspended services have resumed, including Brazil’s GOL reactivating São Paulo-Caracas flights and the Dominican Republic reinstating service after a prolonged hiatus. These developments reflect renewed regional connectivity and improved operational conditions.

Analysts suggest that if these direct flights return, the US-Venezuela market could recover or even exceed its pre-2019 passenger volumes, reinforcing Miami’s role as the primary gateway. Such a transition would not only reshape the economics of regional aviation but also reallocate traffic from indirect Caribbean routes back to South Florida.

As Avior Airlines and other carriers seek US approval, the reinstatement of direct flights would indicate a significant shift in hemispheric air travel dynamics. For Miami, this represents an opportunity to reclaim lost traffic and revenue, while Caribbean hubs may face challenges in maintaining their previously lucrative connecting traffic.