American Airlines plans to resume US flights to Venezuela after Trump moves to open airspace

American Airlines announced on Thursday that it plans to restart flights to Venezuela after over six years, pending government approval and security checks. This decision comes shortly after the U.S. military took control of the country’s leader. On the same day, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy canceled a 2019 order that prevented U.S. airlines from flying to Venezuela, following a directive from President Donald Trump. Duffy stated that "the continued suspension of air service is no longer required by the public interest." Trump made this request after speaking with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez. He mentioned, "American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there." American Airlines had stopped its services to Venezuela in 2019 due to the U.S. flight ban. Earlier this month, the United States launched a military operation against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro. United Airlines has not commented on whether it plans to restart flights, while Delta Air Lines did not respond immediately. American Airlines, which began its operations in Venezuela in 1987, stated that the planned daily flights will support business, leisure, and humanitarian travel to the region. Before the flight suspension, it was the largest U.S. airline operating in Venezuela. Duffy’s order does not affect other regulatory restrictions from the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security, nor does it alter Venezuela’s status under the Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program. Flights are expected to take weeks or a few months to resume as the Federal Aviation Administration will conduct necessary assessments, and the Transportation Security Administration is likely to perform a security review. The FAA expressed, "We look forward to facilitating the return of regular travel between the U.S. and Venezuela" on Thursday.