Conviasa Embraer ERJ-190 jet in the Manuel Carlos Piar International Airport of Puerto Ordaz, before the inaugural flight to Manaus, Brazil, on Thursday 13, 2023. Photo: Twitter/@amarcanopsuv.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—The Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) has confirmed the resumption of commercial flights—including passenger, cargo and mail services—to and from the Dominican Republic. The announcement was made in a brief statement posted on INAC’s official Instagram account.
The agency, which operates under Venezuela’s Ministry of Transportation, did not specify whether the measure takes effect immediately or provide a definitive start date.
The suspension of air travel between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic was initially imposed on July 31, 2023, following a directive from the Venezuelan government. At the time, Venezuela also halted flights to Panama, citing interventionist actions by both countries related to Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential elections.
The Dominican Republic has been a popular destination for Venezuelan travelers looking for alternatives to reach the US after that country banned commercial flights between both nations in 2019.
Venezuela’s international connectivity has been severely damaged since 2019, when Washington launched a battery of illegal sanctions against Venezuela in a failed attempt to bring about a regime change in the South American country. Several US and European airlines abandoned operations in a country, despite its high international air travel capability.
So far, US travel websites do not offer air travel options to and from Venezuela, in an strategy that has been called over-compliance, fearing administrative and punitive sanctions from the US regime.
On May 22, the governments of Panama and Venezuela agreed to resume commercial flights, which have been suspended since July 2024. The announcement came hours after Venezuela suspended air traffic with Colombia, citing security concerns over terrorist plots linked to the arrest of suspects who entered Venezuela via Colombia.
Qatar Airways announces new route
Qatar Airways announced last January the launch of its second-longest flight to the American continent. The flight is expected to connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, then continue to Caracas SimĂłn BolĂvar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate nonstop to Doha.
So far, the prestigious Qatari airline has not launched the service, but analysts say it might soon have its inaugural flight.
Panama and Venezuela Resume Commercial Flights After 11 Months
Brazil’s GOL adds direct Caracas-Sao Paulo route
Meanwhile, starting Aug 5, 2025, Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas will launch a new direct route connecting Caracas with Sao Paulo, Brazil, strengthening air service between the two countries. Initially, the route included a stopover in Bogotá, Colombia. However, the company decided to eliminate that stop, now offering a nonstop flight between the two South American cities.
The new air connection will operate three times a week, specifically on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, according to information released by local news outlets.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SA
