Maiquetía International Airport to Open Temporary Terminals After Earthquake Damage

Maiquetía International Airport in Venezuela is set to reopen for air operations with temporary facilities following significant damage from earthquakes on June 24, 2026. The airport administration announced that two temporary departure terminals and a provisional arrivals area will be operational soon.

This contingency plan aims to process up to 1,260 passengers concurrently on both domestic and international routes. The temporary national departure terminal will span over 3,300 square meters, equipped with three boarding gates and a capacity for 480 travelers. The international area will exceed 4,300 square meters, featuring four boarding gates and accommodating up to 780 passengers.

A 2,250-square-meter arrivals zone, divided for domestic and international disembarkations, will also be available. An additional 1,000-square-meter space is designated for waiting family members and companions. These temporary structures will include air conditioning, free WiFi, medical aid stations, restrooms, device charging points, and vending machines. Accessibility ramps for individuals with reduced mobility and pet transport facilities are also planned.

Vicky Herrera de Díaz, president of the Venezuelan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (Avavit) and Conseturismo, praised the technical plan, noting it adheres to international standards for similar emergencies. She indicated the infrastructure could manage up to two simultaneous flights, with an initial projection of around eight daily departures.

Pilot operational tests are scheduled from August 17 to 21, with a formal restart of commercial land and air operations planned for August 24. This timeline allows for ongoing permanent engineering and repair work on the main infrastructure.