Avior Airlines Seeks Approval for Nonstop Flights to Miami

Venezuelan airline Avior Airlines has formally applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for approval to operate nonstop flights from Venezuela to Miami. The planned routes include flights from Caracas, Maracaibo, and Barcelona, pending the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting Category 1 status. This move follows a recent announcement by former President Donald Trump, who revoked a safety-based order on January 3, 2026, that had previously restricted air travel between the two countries.

Before the suspension of flights in 2019, routes between Venezuela and the United States supported over 600,000 round-trip passengers annually, with Miami serving as the primary gateway. Avior’s application indicates a renewed interest in restoring direct air links that were vital to South Florida’s economy and travel landscape.

Restoring Direct Connections

Miami International Airport (MIA) was a major hub for Venezuelan travelers, with multiple daily flights operated by both U.S. and Venezuelan airlines. The discontinuation of these routes forced travelers to reroute through regional hubs, such as Panama City, Santo Domingo, and Bogotá. This not only increased travel times significantly, by as much as five hours, but also led to higher fares. With the potential return of nonstop flights, MIA stands to reclaim its position as a dominant entry point for Venezuelan passengers.

Avior’s application is part of a broader trend among various airlines seeking to re-establish routes between the U.S. and Venezuela. Airlines are preparing to capture the demand for direct flights, which would likely lead to a significant reduction in travel times and lower fares across the region. Avior has stated it is prepared to restart U.S. services “upon receipt of all necessary regulatory and safety approvals.”

Impact on Regional Hubs

The resumption of nonstop flights could have significant implications for Caribbean and Central American transit hubs that have benefited from the absence of direct services. Airlines such as Copa Airlines have developed a substantial volume of traffic geared towards Venezuelan connections, with many passengers opting for flights that were indirectly routed. The return of direct flights could force these carriers to adjust their capacity and frequency on certain routes.

In addition to passenger traffic, cargo transport will also see a notable shift. Prior to the flight ban, Venezuela-U.S. air routes facilitated the movement of substantial freight, including perishables and pharmaceuticals. Direct flights can significantly reduce transit times and handling costs, making them particularly appealing for urgent shipments.

As the U.S. market reopens, Venezuela’s international air connections are also being revitalized. Recent months have seen several airlines reactivate suspended services and introduce new routes, such as GOL resuming flights from São Paulo to Caracas and the Dominican Republic restarting its services. This regional connectivity highlights a strengthening of operational conditions, supporting the case for the reinstatement of sustainable long-haul flights.

In summary, if Avior Airlines and other carriers receive the necessary regulatory approvals, the passenger volumes on U.S.-Venezuela routes could recover or even exceed pre-2019 levels. Miami is likely to regain its status as the primary gateway, reshaping the dynamics of regional aviation and impacting Caribbean hubs that have relied on indirect routing.

The potential return of direct flights represents more than just a restoration of service; it signals a significant realignment in air travel across the hemisphere. For Miami, this development provides an opportunity to recover lost traffic and revenue, while Caribbean transit hubs may need to adapt to a new competitive landscape.