United States: Air Travel Resumes Between the United States and Venezuela
April 16, 2026
Country / Territory
Share
At a glance
- The U.S. government has rescinded its 2019 suspension of passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela.
- The Department of Homeland Security notice rescinding the suspension is retroactively effective to April 15, 2026 and follows a corresponding Department of Transportation rescission notice from earlier this year.
- Direct flights between the countries are expected to be reestablished in the coming weeks and months.
The issue
Direct passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela are resuming after an almost seven-year suspension imposed by the U.S. government starting in May 2019. In tomorrow’s Federal Register, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will publish a notice announcing rescission of the 2019 suspension and detailing the re-establishment of commercial air transportation between the United States and Venezuela in the coming weeks and months. The DHS notice is retroactively effective to April 15, 2026.
Steps toward rescission of the suspension have been underway for several months. On January 29, 2026, following a directive from President Trump, the U.S. Department of Transportation rescinded its 2019 U.S.-Venezuela travel suspension notice. However, subsequent interagency steps such as the instant DHS action were necessary before the rescission could take effect.
Background
In May 2019, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan determined that conditions in Venezuela threatened the safety and security of travelers and thus suspended all commercial and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela.
What this means for employers and individuals
Employers and travelers interested in direct flights between the United States and Venezuela may wish to monitor airline schedules for flight resumptions in the coming weeks and months. As always, employers and travelers should stay apprised of country conditions and State Department country travel alerts for any travel abroad.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
