Venezuelan carrier Avior Airlines has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to amend and renew its long-dormant authority to fly between Venezuela and the United States, positioning itself for a possible restart of service. In a Feb. 3 filing, Avior requested a two-year exemption to operate scheduled passenger, cargo and mail flights from Caracas, Maracaibo and Barcelona (Venezuela) to Miami, and from Barcelona to Houston, once regulatory and safety conditions are met.
The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s Jan. 29 announcement that the U.S. would reopen Venezuelan commercial airspace and lift a 2019 ban on scheduled and charter flights between the countries. Avior says it’s ready to resume U.S. service upon receiving necessary approvals, including Venezuela regaining FAA Category 1 safety status.
The filing comes amid broader efforts to normalize U.S.–Venezuela aviation ties, with American Airlines signaling plans to resume daily service to Venezuela pending approvals, and Laser Airlines also renewing its bid to enter the U.S. market.
Resumption of scheduled service still hinges on DOT authorization, FAA safety oversight, TSA requirements and evolving political and security conditions in Venezuela.
Credit: David Casey
