The direct flight comes a month after the US formally reopened its embassy in Caracas following the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro in January.
The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela landed in Caracas on Thursday, seven years after the US Homeland Security Department indefinitely suspended operations, citing security risks.
Operated by American Airlines subsidiary Envoy Air, the flight took off at 10.26 a.m. (14:26 GMT) from Miami and landed in Venezuela’s capital city some three hours later. At the Miami International Airport, American Airlines staff handed passengers small Venezuelan flags, and balloons in red, yellow and blue lined the door leading to the plane.
On arrival at Caracas, two fire trucks hosed down the airplane on the tarmac in celebration. The flight carried US National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen, along with several other passengers.
Agen is set to meet with Venezuelan officials and representatives from the energy and mining industries as part of Washington’s efforts to help US companies enter the South American market.
I’m very excited to go and see the family, and I’m looking forward to see the country,” passenger Lennart Ochoa told the Associated Press shortly before boarding.
He said that he got his ticket as soon as it was available. “Just to go and see the family on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas is priceless.”
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