Passenger flights between the United States and Venezuela have resumed after nearly seven years, with American Airlines launching direct service between Miami and Caracas.

The airline said it has begun operating daily flights on the route using Embraer 175 aircraft, with plans to introduce a second daily service starting May 21. The company noted that the flights are expected to support business, tourism and humanitarian travel.

The first flight departed from Miami, in the U.S. state of Florida, and landed in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, marking the restoration of direct commercial air links between the two countries.

In a statement shared by the US Department of State, officials highlighted that there had been no direct commercial flights between the United States and Venezuela for approximately seven years, adding that the resumption of flights marks a new phase in bilateral travel.

Prior to the restart, security procedures at Caracas airport were reviewed by the Transportation Security Administration.

The process follows the lifting of a flight ban imposed in 2019 and subsequent approval granted to American Airlines in March to resume operations on the route. (ILKHA)