Passengers in the waiting room of a gate at the Simón Bolívar Airport serving Caracas. Photo: IG/@rvaraguayan.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—The Venezuelan minister for transportation and director of the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Ramón Velásquez, has reported that over the course of the Holy Week holiday period, passenger traffic at this terminal—the most important in Venezuela—has been 106% higher as compared to 2024, with an overall total of 1,421 air operations.
On Tuesday, April 22, Velásquez informed via social media that during that period—out of the total of 1,421 air operations—there were more than 1,300 domestic and international flights, carrying over 100,000 passengers.
On March 29, President Nicolás Maduro reported that Venezuela closed the first quarter of 2025 with its 16th consecutive quarter of positive economic growth, an important milestone in the economic recovery of the country, despite unprecedented sanctions and the continued blockade led by the US empire and its colonial allies.
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“Today we have good news,” said President Maduro, during an address broadcast on the publicly-run Venezuelan Television (VTV) channel. “In the first quarter of this year, the trend is toward consolidation of growth, and the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) is now estimating growth of no less than 4.5% of Venezuela’s gross domestic product (GDP).”
Minister Velásquez added that the Venezuelan aviation sector guarantees connectivity and development for Venezuela. “We are committed to the homeland, and the aviation sector continues to take off on the path to [economic] development.”
Hotel occupancy exceeded 80%
Last Monday, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reported that hotel occupancy exceeded 80% during the holiday period—beyond the levels of 2024—and there was a 16.33% increase in the travel of vacationers and tourists to religious spaces, beaches, parks, spas, mountains, rivers, and entertainment venues, totaling more than 12 million people. She added that the hotel occupancy at top tourist attractions like Canaima, Los Roques, Morrocoy National Park, and Margarita Island, reached 100%.
Rodríguez highlighted the fact that a safe and peaceful Holy Week was guaranteed, reflecting the invincible spirit of joy and happiness of the Venezuelan people, who sought to reconnect with their neighbors and experience spirituality. “The Venezuelan people dedicated this Holy Week to strengthening their faith through visits to churches and other liturgical activities,” among other recreational activities, Rodríguez explained.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/AU
