Daily flights between Bogotá and Caracas have resumed this week after Colombian flag carrier Avianca restarted its key Colombia–Venezuela route, restoring a vital air link that had been cut for three months amid security concerns and a politically charged airspace closure. The move is being hailed by tourism operators, business groups and migrant communities on both sides of the border as a turning point for regional connectivity, with expectations that traffic will grow quickly as confidence in the route returns.
A Strategic Route Returns After a Three-Month Halt
Avianca’s relaunch of the Bogotá–Caracas service follows a suspension that began in early November 2025, when a combination of international security alerts and decisions by Venezuelan authorities pushed several foreign airlines to halt operations to the country. For Avianca, the shutdown meant pausing a corridor that had been a staple of its network for decades and a critical bridge between two closely intertwined economies.
After what the airline described as an “integral evaluation” of operational and air safety conditions in coordination with regulators, Avianca confirmed in early February that it would resume direct service. The first restored flights operated on February 12, 2026, reconnecting the two capitals with a daily schedule designed to suit both business and leisure travelers. Company representatives underscored that returning to Caracas was a priority once conditions allowed, given the historic role of the route in linking what they frequently call “sister nations.”
The three-month interruption highlighted how dependent Colombia–Venezuela mobility had become on a small number of carriers willing and able to operate into Maiquetía’s Simón Bolívar International Airport. With Avianca’s return, pressure on remaining operators eases, and thousands of travelers who had diverted through third countries or resorted to lengthy overland journeys again have a nonstop option between the two capitals.
From Airspace Blockade to Gradual Reopening
The resumption of Avianca’s Bogotá–Caracas flights comes against the backdrop of a dramatic shift in Venezuela’s aviation landscape. In late 2025, a sharp deterioration in security assessments, coupled with escalating political tensions, triggered warnings from international regulators and prompted multiple global airlines to suspend services to Venezuela. Within days, regional and European carriers had either halted or drastically reduced their operations, cutting Caracas off from many of its traditional long-haul gateways.
The situation intensified as Venezuelan authorities retaliated against several airlines that complied with foreign safety notices, revoking permits and accusing them of acting under political pressure. The resulting stand-off left thousands of travelers stranded across the region, including many in Colombia who suddenly saw their Bogotá–Caracas flights canceled or rerouted. Colombian civil aviation officials emphasized that carriers such as Avianca were acting independently in response to safety concerns, yet the broader effect was a de facto blockade of Venezuelan airspace for much of the international market.
That phase began to unwind in early 2026. Following the end of a high-profile foreign military intervention in Venezuela in early January and the subsequent reopening of Venezuelan airspace in February, authorities in Caracas signaled a willingness to normalize aviation ties. A list of international airlines, including Avianca, was cleared to return to the market, with operations to be restored in stages as airlines completed their own security and operational reviews. The restart of Avianca’s Bogotá–Caracas route is among the most visible signs to travelers that this re-normalization is starting to reach day-to-day schedules.
Avianca’s Daily Schedule and Expanded Capacity
Avianca is relaunching the Bogotá–Caracas corridor with a robust schedule that underscores its confidence in pent-up demand. According to company statements and local media briefings, the airline is now operating seven weekly flights, effectively one daily round-trip between the Colombian and Venezuelan capitals. The timing of the service has been calibrated to allow same-day business trips in some cases, while still providing practical connections to Avianca’s wider network.
Typical departure times place Bogotá–Caracas flights in the morning, with return services slated for midday and afternoon slots, aligning with bank, corporate, and government working hours. For travelers originating beyond Bogotá, the schedule is intended to feed into Avianca’s domestic and regional wave at El Dorado International Airport, meaning passengers from cities such as Medellín, Cali, or even Central American hubs can connect onward to Caracas in a single day.
Industry analysis suggests that capacity on the route will ramp up quickly from the outset. Avianca has been deploying narrow-body Airbus aircraft on the Bogotá–Caracas leg, which are configured to handle a mix of economy and premium passengers. Given the relatively short sector length, product differences are less about onboard frills than about reliability and timing, both of which are at a premium after months of uncertainty. The first flights since February 12 reportedly carried more than 1,000 travelers in the opening days alone, a strong indication of suppressed demand.
Tourism Operators See a Lifeline for Cross-Border Travel
For the travel and tourism industry, Avianca’s return represents a long-awaited lifeline. Tour operators, hotel managers and destination marketers in both Colombia and Venezuela had watched bookings from their largest neighboring market collapse after the November shutdown. Leisure travelers, particularly those making family visits or short holiday trips, were often unwilling to navigate complex itineraries via third countries or opaque overland routes. The result was a sharp fall in cross-border leisure flows at the start of the high season.
Colombian agencies specializing in Venezuelan destinations reported that inquiries never fully stopped during the suspension, but many travelers delayed or canceled plans, waiting for a clearer path to reopen. Venezuelan travel businesses, especially those in Caracas and coastal areas traditionally favored by Colombian visitors, similarly saw occupancy rates weaken as connectivity dried up. In that context, a guaranteed daily connection on a major regional carrier provides the predictability tour operators need to rebuild packages and marketing campaigns.
The reactivated route is also expected to stimulate outbound Venezuelan tourism to Colombia, which has become a favored destination due to cultural proximity, language, and relative affordability. Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena have all attracted growing numbers of Venezuelan visitors in recent years, drawn by urban culture, medical tourism, and beach holidays. With Avianca now flying daily once more, package deals combining flights, hotels and local experiences are likely to return to agency shelves in the coming weeks.
Business Travel and Trade Ties Get a Boost
Beyond leisure, the Bogotá–Caracas corridor is a key artery for business travelers and trade-related mobility. Even during periods of political and economic upheaval, commercial links between Colombia and Venezuela have remained significant, reflecting shared history and the extensive presence of bi-national companies. Executives, technical staff, logistics managers and consultants have all relied on regular flights between the two capitals to manage projects, supervise operations and attend negotiations.
The three-month interruption forced many firms to pivot to video conferencing or to send personnel on convoluted routes via third countries. Travel times and costs increased, while the uncertainty around last-minute cancellations made in-person visits harder to justify. In sectors where on-the-ground presence is crucial, from oil services and logistics to retail and banking, that disruption translated into delayed projects and cautious investment decisions.
With Avianca’s daily flights restored, business associations in Colombia and Venezuela expect an uptick in cross-border corporate travel. The availability of reliable air links is often a prerequisite for new contracts, joint ventures and trade missions, and chambers of commerce on both sides have been quick to welcome the route’s return. While broader geopolitical dynamics will continue to shape the scale of bilateral trade, the normalization of air connectivity removes one of the practical obstacles that had been weighing on cross-border business decisions.
Relief for Migrant Communities and Families Divided by the Border
Perhaps no group is more directly affected by the route’s resumption than the large Venezuelan diaspora in Colombia and the many Colombian families living in Venezuela. Over recent years, millions of Venezuelans have relocated to Colombia, forming communities in Bogotá, Cúcuta, Medellín and other cities. Regular, affordable air links to Caracas are essential for maintaining family ties, supporting circular migration, and enabling emergency travel for health or caregiving needs.
During the suspension that began in November 2025, many migrants here in Colombia reported canceling year-end trips to see relatives in Caracas and the central region of Venezuela. With alternative flights scarce or priced beyond reach, and overland routes facing their own security and logistical challenges, some travelers chose to postpone reunions indefinitely. Civil society organizations working with migrants described an emotional toll as families once again confronted the feeling of being “cut off” by circumstances beyond their control.
Avianca’s February restart is therefore more than a commercial decision; for many passengers it represents a restoration of personal connectivity. Daily frequencies offer flexibility to plan short family visits, attend weddings or funerals, or bring relatives for medical treatment in Colombia. Travel advocates are urging airlines and policymakers alike to protect this corridor from future disruptions, arguing that reliable connectivity is essential for the well-being of bi-national families and the integration of migrant communities.
Competitive Landscape: Other Carriers Eye the Caracas Market
Avianca is not alone in returning to Venezuelan skies. Low-cost airline Wingo, for example, already restored its Bogotá–Caracas service in January and has announced plans to resume flights from Medellín to Caracas, adding fresh capacity for budget travelers. Other regional carriers have also signaled intentions to rejoin the market, pending regulatory approvals and internal security assessments. The reactivation of multiple routes suggests that confidence in operating to Caracas is slowly improving after months of turbulence.
For passengers, the presence of several competing airlines should translate into greater choice and, potentially, more attractive fares. While initial ticket prices on reinstated routes tend to reflect high demand and limited early capacity, competition over the medium term often encourages a broader range of fare classes and promotions. That is especially relevant on the Bogotá–Caracas corridor, where travelers range from cost-conscious migrant workers to corporate clients willing to pay a premium for flexibility.
Industry analysts note that carriers returning to Caracas are likely to move cautiously, monitoring security conditions and load factors before committing additional aircraft or frequencies. Nevertheless, the fact that airlines are once again scheduling flights into Venezuela’s main international gateway is viewed as a strong signal that the worst of the airspace disruption may be receding, even if underlying political and economic uncertainties remain.
Rebuilding Confidence in Safety and Infrastructure
A central challenge for the renewed Bogotá–Caracas link is rebuilding passenger confidence in the safety and reliability of the route. The original suspension was deeply intertwined with warnings from aviation authorities about security risks, as well as contentious political responses from Caracas. For travelers who saw their flights abruptly canceled or rerouted, trust in the stability of the corridor was shaken.
Avianca and its peers are working to address those concerns by emphasizing the exhaustive evaluations undertaken before flights resumed. Executives have repeatedly stated that the decision to reactivate operations followed close coordination with aviation regulators and security agencies, along with internal risk assessments that considered flight paths, airport conditions, and contingency planning. Industry observers say those procedures are now a routine part of route planning into volatile environments and will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, attention is turning to the physical infrastructure at Caracas’ Simón Bolívar International Airport. After years of reduced international operations and economic strain, facilities, ground services, and customer experience have all been under pressure. The return of carriers like Avianca could help spur incremental improvements, as airport operators and authorities seek to meet renewed demand and attract further airline investment. For travelers, visible signs of upgraded services, from check-in to baggage handling and security, will be crucial in cementing the perception that Venezuela is once again safely and reliably reachable by air.