Venezuela’s International Flight Landscape: Opportunities Await in September 2024

• The destinations most used by citizens to make international connections are Colombia and Curacao

Vicky Herrera, president of the Venezuelan Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Avavit), said on September 16 that the temporary suspension of flights between Venezuela and destinations such as Panama, Dominican Republic and Peru has generated a significant impact on the flow of travelers.

“We believe that approximately 15,000 passengers are affected weekly by the suspension of flights. There are many implications to this measure, beyond the economic,” said the president of Avavit for Union Radio.

Herrera said the cancellation of flights reduced international connections, which has affected the availability of routes to other countries.

These are the international routes that are operational in Venezuela:

-Colombia

-Curaçao

-Barbados

-Spain

-Turkey

-Portugal

-Mexico

-Chile

-Trinidad and Tobago

-Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-Nicaragua

-Cuba

-Bolivia

-Moscow

The president of Avavit explained that the breaking of diplomatic relations with several countries in the region led to the elimination of 95 weekly flights. Herrera pointed out that Colombia and Curacao are the main destinations used by travelers to make international connections, although the cost of tickets has increased significantly.

The union member asked Venezuelan authorities to keep political issues separate from air connectivity, arguing that diplomatic decisions should not affect the operation of international flights, since this harms both tourism and passengers who depend on these routes.

How much do airline tickets cost from Venezuela to Colombia and Curacao?

Several Venezuelan aviation associations have warned that there has been an increase in ticket prices from Venezuela. The cost of tickets covering that route has tripled and in some cases sextupled, in the case of international airlines and for immediate flights.

In June, a plane ticket between Caracas and Bogota cost between $220 and $270. In September, prices have risen to between $370 and $460. In the case of Curacao, fares have increased to between $800 and $900 per passenger.

International air connectivity has been reduced by 54% since July 2024

Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Association of Airlines in Venezuela (ALAV), assured that from July 31, 2024 International air connectivity fell by 54%.

“We have lost more than half of our international connectivity,” the union leader told the EFE news agency.

The suspension of flights is currently in effect, according to information provided by the Ministry of Transport to EFE.

Venezuela again reduces its air connections after the Covid-19 pandemic

Photo: Archive

The operations of several national and international airlines have been suspended since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. International flights have resumed in the country since August 2020, when the national government announced a plan to “recondition” the facilities of the air terminals following the hygiene and safety protocols that were ordered due to the pandemic.

The restoration of operations was carried out for both Latin American and European destinations. However, In the case of Colombiathe resumption of flights was delayed until September 2022 due to the breakdown of diplomatic relations during the government of former President Iván Duque.

Venezuela authorized transit through border crossings between the two countries as part of the agreements reached by representatives of Colombia and Venezuela. Subsequently, several airlines received permission from the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) to operate to and from the country.

Despite this, after the presidential elections on July 28, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the breaking of diplomatic relations with Venezuela. with several countries in the regionincluding the Dominican Republic and Panama. As a result, flights were also suspended, which reduced the supply of commercial flights abroad.

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– What are⁣ the main reasons behind Venezuela’s international air connectivity crisis?

Venezuela’s International Air ‍Connectivity ⁣Crisis: The Impact of Flight Suspensions

Venezuela’s travel and tourism industry is⁤ reeling ‌from the temporary⁢ suspension of flights to key destinations, including Panama, Dominican Republic, ​and⁤ Peru. The Venezuelan Association ‌of ⁤Travel and Tourism ​Agencies​ (Avavit) estimates that approximately 15,000 passengers are affected weekly ⁢by⁢ this ‍measure,‍ which has​ significant economic and social implications.

Limited International Routes

Currently, the‍ operational international routes‍ in Venezuela are⁤ limited to:

Colombia

‌Curaçao

⁤Barbados

Spain

Turkey

Portugal

Mexico

Chile

Trinidad and Tobago

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Nicaragua

Cuba

Bolivia

Moscow

The president of Avavit, ‌Vicky​ Herrera, ​notes that ‌the main destinations ‍used by travelers to make international connections are Colombia and Curaçao, despite the significant increase in ticket prices. The cost of airline tickets from‍ Venezuela to Colombia and Curaçao has tripled and sextupled, respectively, making it challenging for travelers to access these ⁤routes.

Airline‌ Ticket Prices

The ​prices‍ of airline tickets from Venezuela to Colombia and Curaçao have⁤ increased dramatically. ⁤In June, ⁣a ⁤plane ticket between Caracas and Bogota cost between $220 and⁤ $270. In September, prices have risen to between‌ $370 ‍and $460. ​In the case of Curaçao, fares have increased ‌to between $800 and $900 per passenger.

54% Reduction in International Air Connectivity

Since July ‍2024, international air connectivity in Venezuela has​ been reduced by a staggering⁤ 54%. This decline is attributed to the suspension of ‍95 weekly flights ​due to‍ the breaking of diplomatic⁢ relations with⁤ several countries in the region.

The‌ Call to Separate Politics ⁢from Air ‍Connectivity

The Venezuelan Association ‍of Travel​ and ⁣Tourism ⁣Agencies⁤ (Avavit) is urging the authorities to separate⁣ political issues from air connectivity, as the current situation is harming both tourism ‍and passengers who depend on‍ these routes. The union is advocating for the resumption ⁣of international flights⁤ to ensure‌ that ​travelers can ​access ​essential routes without undue ‌hardship.

Conclusion

The‌ suspension of flights to key destinations ⁢has created an ‍international air connectivity crisis in‌ Venezuela. The limited operational routes, ​increased ticket prices, and reduced ⁤air connectivity have significant implications⁣ for the ⁣travel and ‌tourism⁣ industry. It‌ is essential for the ⁢authorities to​ address this issue and find a solution that separates politics from air connectivity, ensuring that travelers‌ can access essential routes without undue hardship.

Keywords: ‌Venezuela, international air connectivity, flight suspensions,‌ Avavit, travel and‍ tourism industry,⁤ Colombia, Curaçao, airline ticket prices.