Caracas’s Maiquetía Airport Reopens September 1: Which Airlines Return to Venezuela, and When
Key Facts
- Reopening. Maiquetía International Airport (La Guaira state) resumes regular operations on September 1, 2026, initially under operational restrictions.
- Why it closed. The airport suspended commercial flights after the double earthquake of June 24, 2026, which damaged infrastructure around Caracas.
- Airlines returning. Copa Airlines, Avianca and Plus Ultra are resuming operations at Maiquetía, alongside the previously announced returns of American Airlines and LATAM.
- Restart calendar. American: Miami–Caracas double daily from September 3. LATAM: Bogotá–Caracas from September 4. GOL: São Paulo–Caracas from September 15. United: announced for January 2027.
- Expect adjustments. Authorities warn that operating conditions may change as airport evaluations continue; always confirm your flight status before traveling.
Venezuela’s main gateway is back: Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, serving Caracas, resumes regular operations on Monday, September 1, 2026 — a little over two months after the June 24 earthquakes forced the suspension of commercial flights.
For travelers, expats and the Venezuelan diaspora, the reopening of Maiquetía ends an unusual chapter in which Latin America’s northern gateway operated only through workarounds such as the alternative airport of Barcelona.
Maiquetía Airport Reopens After the June Earthquakes
The Instituto Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía announced the restart of regular operations for September 1, ending a suspension that began after the twin earthquakes of June 24 shook northern Venezuela and damaged the country’s main air gateway.
The reopening is gradual: the airport comes back under operational restrictions, and airlines are rebuilding their schedules step by step rather than restoring pre-earthquake capacity overnight.
Which Airlines Are Returning to Venezuela
Regional carriers move first: Copa Airlines, Avianca and Spanish leisure airline Plus Ultra are resuming their Maiquetía operations, restoring links to Panama City, Bogotá and Madrid.
They join the bigger comeback wave announced over the past week — American Airlines returns from Miami on September 3 with double-daily flights, LATAM Airlines Colombia restarts Bogotá–Caracas on September 4, and Brazil’s GOL resumes São Paulo–Caracas on September 15. United has signaled a return for January 2027, and Venezuelan carrier Laser adds capacity from September.
What the Reopening Means for Expats and Travelers
During the closure, passengers had to route through Barcelona’s airport or neighboring countries — adding hours and cost to trips that are now becoming direct again.
More capacity also means pressure on fares should ease over the coming weeks, though the first flights under restrictions are likely to sell out quickly.
Before You Book
Check your airline’s official channels: schedules remain subject to change while airport restrictions are progressively lifted.
If you are connecting onward through Panama, Bogotá or Miami, verify minimum connection times — early-morning arrivals and departures dominate the restart schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Maiquetía airport reopen?
Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, resumes regular operations on September 1, 2026, initially under operational restrictions.
Why was Caracas airport closed?
The airport suspended commercial flights after the double earthquake of June 24, 2026, which damaged infrastructure in the Caracas region.
Which airlines return to Maiquetía?
Copa, Avianca and Plus Ultra resume operations, joining American Airlines (Miami, from September 3), LATAM (Bogotá, from September 4) and GOL (São Paulo, from September 15).
Are flights to Venezuela operating normally again?
Not yet fully — airlines restart with reduced schedules and will add frequencies as airport restrictions ease.
Connected Coverage
Full details on the first two route restarts: American Airlines’ double-daily Miami–Caracas from September 3 and LATAM’s Bogotá–Caracas from September 4.
Sources: Prensa Latina, El Regional del Zulia (reported August 29–31, 2026).
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