Barcelona Airport Becomes Alternate International Hub After Quakes Damage Maiquetía

Barcelona's José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport has been activated as an alternate international terminal following significant earthquakes that impacted Venezuela's central region. The tremors caused damage to hundreds of structures, including the infrastructure of Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, forcing authorities to restrict its commercial use. Maiquetía is now exclusively handling humanitarian aid.

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From the state government, we are guaranteeing the conditions so that passengers transiting through our state have the necessary amenities.

The first international flight under this contingency, operated by Laser Airlines from Miami, arrived in Barcelona with 53 passengers on Thursday, July 2. Regional authorities confirmed this route will operate daily in both directions. "From the state government, we are guaranteeing the conditions so that passengers transiting through our state have the necessary amenities," stated Doriel Salazar, the sole tourism authority for Anzoátegui state.

Authorities anticipate the addition of new international routes from Barcelona. The airport already had reactivated connections to Panama via Copa Airlines. Avior Airlines will offer flights between Barcelona and Bogotá on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and between Barcelona and Medellín on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This positions the Anzoátegui airport as a key hub for maintaining the country's air connectivity while damage assessments continue at Maiquetía.

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We have made ourselves available to the Venezuelan government, especially (the authorities of Transport, Tourism), to see how we can help.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasized the urgency of restoring regular operations at Venezuela's main airport in La Guaira. IATA's regional vice president for the Americas, Peter Cerdá, told EFE that the association has offered technical support to the Venezuelan government. "We have made ourselves available to the Venezuelan government, especially (the authorities of Transport, Tourism), to see how we can help," Cerdá said. He noted that Maiquetía's infrastructure has suffered "extensive damage, both to the terminal infrastructure and the aircraft movement area."

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has suffered extensive damage, both to the terminal infrastructure and the aircraft movement area.