American Airlines launches Miami-Maracaibo route amid Venezuela's recovery

American Airlines has inaugurated a new direct flight connecting Miami to Maracaibo, Venezuela. This marks the sole direct route to Venezuela following earthquake damage that temporarily impacted operations at Caracas' Maiquetía airport. The airline's flight AA 4325 departed Miami on Tuesday morning, with an estimated arrival in Maracaibo in the afternoon.

Maracaibo now serves as the only direct destination in Venezuela after the June 24 earthquakes. The tremors caused several international airlines to suspend flights to the country or reroute them to other Venezuelan airports, such as Valencia and Barcelona. American Airlines had announced its intention to open the Miami-Maracaibo route on June 12, framing it as an expansion of its operations in Venezuela amid evolving political, economic, and commercial relations between the United States and the South American nation.

The airline plans to resume operations to Caracas once the airport there reopens for commercial flights. Caracas' airport had reactivated after a seven-year suspension on April 30. American Airlines also participated in donation campaigns for earthquake victims in Venezuela. The Miami-based carrier will operate daily flights on Embraer 175 aircraft to Maracaibo, according to Miami International Airport. In April, American Airlines became the first airline to restart commercial flights between the U.S. and Caracas in seven years.