Avior was one of the Venezuelan airlines that had connections with the Dominican Republic. It is still unknown which domestic and foreign companies will operate the route after its reactivation. Photo: Eric Salard.
Guacamaya, June 15, 2025. On Sunday, Venezuela’s National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced the resumption of commercial flights between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, including passenger, cargo, and mail services.
The reactivation comes after nearly eleven months of inactivity. Although an exact start date for these operations has not yet been set, it is a sign that international connections are beginning to return to normal after the Venezuelan government decided to suspend flights for political reasons.
Flights were halted on July 31, 2024, in response to criticism from several governments in the region—including Panama and the Dominican Republic—regarding the legitimacy of the presidential elections in which Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner. Caracas accused these countries of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs, leading to the decision to cut air routes and withdraw diplomats stationed there.
The resumption of flights to the Dominican Republic comes shortly after routes with Panama were also reopened on May 27. However, it is worth noting that diplomatic relations with both countries have not yet normalized.
Historically, the Dominican Republic has been a key transit point for many Venezuelan travelers, who use this connection to reach the United States. However, this time, the route is likely to see fewer passengers, given the entry restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump administration.
With this new announcement, it appears that some doors are beginning to reopen for Venezuelan citizens. The situation remains complicated, but at least this is a step toward the flight resumption many had been waiting for.
