Venezuela says Caracas airport to reopen to commercial flights 'soon as possible'

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced Tuesday that the Simon Bolivar International Airport, damaged in last month's twin earthquakes, will reopen for commercial flights as soon as possible. The airport, located in La Guaira near Caracas, was affected by the June 24 quakes that collapsed numerous buildings and resulted in over 3,500 fatalities. It has been partially open for humanitarian flights.

Rodriguez stated on her Telegram account that she ordered the immediate activation of an alternative plan to resume commercial flights using the airport's parallel runway. The earthquakes, considered one of Latin America's worst seismic disasters, left thousands homeless and many more missing, particularly in the heavily damaged La Guaira area. US airmen and military experts are assisting Venezuelan authorities in reopening the airport and repairing the port in La Guaira to facilitate aid delivery.

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I ordered the immediate activation of an alternative plan to allow commercial flights to resume as soon as possible using the airport's parallel runway

John Barrett, US embassy Charge d'Affaires, confirmed that US officials are in talks with American commercial airlines about resuming flights. He noted that some infrastructure work is still needed to support commercial operations, but did not provide a specific date. US Southern Command chief General Francis Donovan added that US military personnel are continuing to provide support for air traffic control and ground cargo operations at the airport. Approximately 2,000 US troops have been deployed in Venezuela for disaster relief efforts, with US helicopters and planes frequently using the airport. The USS Fort Lauderdale naval vessel is also docked at La Guaira port to aid in deliveries.

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There is some work to do in terms of the infrastructure to support commercial operations at the airport