Caracas is preparing for an unprecedented wave of international visitors as a growing list of airlines from Colombia, Brazil, Spain and beyond restore commercial flights to Venezuela, raising expectations of a long-delayed tourism rebound and a potential boom for hotels, resorts and luxury stays in the capital.
Venezuela’s Skies Reopen After Years of Isolation
The decision by a cluster of regional and European airlines to restart or expand service to Caracas marks a sharp break from the country’s recent aviation isolation. Years of political turmoil, security concerns and airspace restrictions had steadily thinned international routes, leaving travelers dependent on a handful of regional carriers and complex connections through third countries.
That picture has begun to change quickly in early 2026, as regulatory tensions ease and airspace warnings are partially rolled back. Airlines from Colombia, Brazil, Spain and Turkey are lining up slots at Caracas’s Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, betting that both business and leisure demand will recover faster than many analysts once thought possible.
The reopening is unfolding against a dramatically altered political backdrop. The removal of former president Nicolás Maduro in early January and subsequent moves by the transitional authorities to normalize relations with key partners have created a window of opportunity for carriers that had seen Venezuela as high risk. Industry executives say they are now receiving clearer safety guidance and more predictable operating conditions, even as some countries, including the United States, continue to advise against nonessential travel.
For Venezuela’s tourism and hospitality sector, long starved of international guests, the resurgence of air connectivity is nothing short of existential. Hotel groups, independent boutique properties and short-stay luxury rentals in Caracas are already reporting an uptick in advance inquiries from tour operators in Colombia, Brazil, Spain and the wider Latin American diaspora.
Avianca, LATAM, GOL and Wingo Reconnect Colombia and Brazil
The most immediate jolt to inbound tourism is coming from neighboring Colombia and Brazil, historically two of Venezuela’s most important source markets. Colombian carrier Avianca has confirmed that it will resume direct flights between Bogotá and Caracas from February 12, with daily service planned as conditions allow. The route had been abruptly suspended in late 2025 after Venezuela’s civil aviation authority ordered several foreign airlines to halt operations amid a broader airspace dispute.
Avianca’s schedule centers on two daily frequencies between the Colombian hub and the Venezuelan capital, providing early morning and midday departures from Bogotá and returning mid-morning and early afternoon flights from Caracas. The carrier has framed the move as a response to “improved operational conditions” and a coordinated reassessment of aviation safety with regional regulators, positioning the Bogotá–Caracas corridor once again as a key bridge for business travelers and tourists alike.
LATAM Airlines, South America’s largest airline group, is also working through the process of reactivating Venezuelan services after years on the sidelines. While full details of its initial routes remain under discussion with regulators, industry analysts expect the group to focus first on restoring connectivity from Brazil and possibly Peru, two markets with significant Venezuelan diaspora communities and strong demand for visiting friends and relatives as well as emerging leisure interest.
Brazilian low-cost operator GOL and Colombian low-cost carrier Wingo are meanwhile seen as pivotal in democratizing access to Caracas for price-sensitive travelers. By offering point-to-point routes from secondary cities in Brazil and Colombia, these airlines can open the door to shorter breaks and long weekends in the Venezuelan capital. Tour operators in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Medellín and Cali are already sketching out packages that pair flights with stays at seafront resorts in nearby La Guaira and high-end boutique hotels in eastern Caracas.
Spanish Carriers Air Europa, Iberia and Plus Ultra Rebuild the Madrid Link
Spain has long been one of Venezuela’s primary European gateways, and the gradual restoration of Madrid–Caracas flights is central to the country’s tourism recovery strategy. Spanish media reported that Air Europa will resume operations between Madrid and Caracas from February 17, initially with limited frequencies after a suspension that began on November 24, 2025. The carrier plans a handful of flights in February as it rebuilds schedules that were disrupted by Venezuelan licensing decisions and safety concerns over regional airspace.
Long-haul specialist Plus Ultra Lineas Aéreas has announced its intention to follow suit by restarting service to Caracas from March 3, bringing back widebody capacity targeted at both leisure travelers and passengers connecting onward to Latin America. Iberia, Spain’s flag carrier, is preparing to reenter the market slightly later, with a planned relaunch of its Madrid–Caracas route on April 6, subject to final regulatory clearances.
Combined, these three Spanish airlines are expected to restore a robust Europe–Venezuela corridor in time for the northern summer. Travel agencies in Madrid and Barcelona say interest is coming not only from Venezuelans living in Spain but also from Spanish tourists intrigued by the prospect of relatively uncrowded Caribbean beaches, colonial towns and an urban cultural scene in Caracas that many have not seen in more than a decade.
For the hospitality sector in the Venezuelan capital, the return of Spanish carriers is particularly significant. European guests historically book longer stays and skew toward higher-end properties, from international-branded hotels in the business district of Chacao to design-forward boutique accommodations and private serviced apartments in neighborhoods such as Altamira and Las Mercedes. Hotel managers expect occupancy to rise steadily as European frequencies ramp up through the second quarter.
Turkish Airlines, TAP and Iberia Restore Europe–Caracas Connectivity
Beyond Spain, a broader wave of European airlines is moving to reconnect Caracas with major hubs. Turkish Airlines has confirmed that it will resume direct flights between Istanbul and Caracas from March 3, initially operating three times weekly with Boeing 787-9 aircraft before increasing frequencies later in the month. The carrier positions Istanbul as a mega-hub linking Venezuela to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, offering travelers from Colombia, Brazil and the wider region a new set of one-stop options.
Portugal’s TAP Air Portugal, which had previously suspended flights following airspace warnings and Venezuelan regulatory actions, is working to restore its Lisbon–Caracas service as safety assessments improve. Together with Iberia and Air Europa, TAP’s return would give European visitors a range of departure points and fare levels, helping diversify the mix of travelers heading to Venezuela and smoothing seasonal peaks that have historically strained local infrastructure.
Industry observers note that the resumption of flights by Turkish Airlines and TAP also carries symbolic weight. Both carriers had become important lifelines for Venezuelans during previous periods of isolation, providing connections not only for tourists but for students, medical travelers and expatriates moving between the country and the wider world. Their comeback suggests that airlines now see enough political and operational stability to justify redeploying long-haul aircraft to Caracas, a decision that typically comes after lengthy risk modeling and negotiations with insurers.
European connectivity is vital for the emerging tourism vision promoted by Venezuelan authorities and private sector leaders. The goal is to position Caracas not merely as a transit point but as a destination in its own right, a city that can anchor multi-stop itineraries combining urban culture, mountain landscapes in the Ávila National Park and coastal relaxation along the central Caribbean shoreline.
Laser Airlines and Local Carriers Position for Tourism Recovery
While the headlines have focused on foreign brands, Venezuelan carriers such as Laser Airlines are quietly positioning themselves to capture a larger share of the expected tourism uptick. Laser, which sustained limited international and regional operations during the country’s most challenging years, now stands to benefit from renewed feed from returning global partners and a fresh wave of interest from neighboring markets.
The airline operates key regional routes that connect Caracas with nearby Caribbean islands and select Latin American cities, effectively acting as a bridge for travelers arriving on long-haul flights. As Avianca, Air Europa, Iberia, Turkish Airlines and others restart or expand operations, Laser can funnel passengers onward to sun-and-sea destinations, smaller Venezuelan cities and domestic tourism hotspots, broadening the impact of the connectivity revival beyond the capital.
Other local players, including carriers such as Conviasa and Avior, are also recalibrating their networks to align with the newfound international interest. The emphasis is increasingly on reliability, punctuality and service quality, as local airlines recognize that they are part of a broader effort to rehabilitate Venezuela’s image among global travelers. Industry sources say joint marketing campaigns with hotels and tour operators are under discussion, with Caracas as the principal gateway.
For international visitors, the presence of multiple domestic carriers creates more flexibility in crafting itineraries. A traveler arriving from Bogotá, São Paulo or Madrid can now envision a trip that includes several nights in a luxury property in Caracas followed by a short domestic hop to coastal resorts in Isla Margarita or eco-focused lodges in the country’s interior, all booked through a single agency or digital platform.
Caracas Hotels, Resorts and Luxury Stays Brace for Demand
Hotel owners and managers in Caracas describe the current moment as a rare chance to reset and reposition the city’s hospitality offering. During the lean years of limited international travel, many properties shifted their focus to local corporate clients and long-stay guests connected to the oil, mining and logistics sectors. Now, with foreign airlines returning and tour operators in Colombia, Brazil and Spain designing new packages, there is a renewed push to attract international leisure travelers and high-spending visitors.
Several upscale hotels in the eastern districts of the city have invested in refurbishments, from upgraded room interiors and spa facilities to revamped rooftop bars with panoramic views of the Ávila mountain range. Independent boutique hotels are emphasizing curated local experiences, such as chef-led tastings of Venezuelan cacao and rum, guided art walks through emerging galleries and tailor-made excursions that combine city sightseeing with time on the nearby Caribbean coast.
Luxury short-stay rentals and serviced apartments, often favored by diaspora visitors and remote workers, are also preparing for an influx of guests from Colombia, Brazil and Spain. Property managers report a rise in medium-term bookings, with travelers planning two- to three-week stays that mix business meetings with exploration of Caracas’s food, music and nightlife scenes. For many, these trips are their first return to Venezuela in years, and expectations are high.
Resorts along the coastline near La Guaira and in other accessible beach areas are meanwhile marketing themselves as convenient add-ons to a Caracas city break. The renewed connectivity makes it easier for travelers to fly in on a direct service, spend a few nights immersed in the capital’s urban energy, then transfer to a beach resort or boutique coastal hotel before heading home.
Opportunities and Risks for North American Travelers
The reopening of Venezuela’s skies is prompting fresh discussions about the country’s attractiveness as a destination for travelers from the United States and Canada. On the one hand, improved connectivity via Bogotá, Panama City, São Paulo, Madrid, Lisbon and Istanbul offers a growing number of one-stop and two-stop options into Caracas, even in the absence of direct U.S.–Venezuela flights. On the other hand, official U.S. guidance remains highly restrictive.
The U.S. Department of State continues to maintain a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela, citing risks that include wrongful detention, crime, civil unrest and limited access to medical care. That warning, reaffirmed in December 2025, underscores the gap between the enthusiasm of airlines and regional tour operators and the caution advised by Washington. For U.S. citizens, insurers and corporate travel departments, such advisories carry significant weight when assessing whether leisure or business trips are appropriate.
Travel specialists say that, in practice, many of the earliest U.S.-based visitors are likely to be members of the Venezuelan diaspora returning to see family, as well as seasoned adventure and cultural travelers who are accustomed to operating in complex environments. These travelers often route through Colombia, Brazil, Panama or Spain, coordinating closely with local partners on security and logistics and staying primarily in well-managed hotels in established neighborhoods.
For Venezuela’s hospitality sector, North American tourists represent a medium-term opportunity rather than an immediate volume driver. Hoteliers and tour operators are focusing first on consolidating demand from Colombia, Brazil, Spain and other Latin American and European markets where travel advisories are less restrictive or where diaspora ties are particularly strong, while keeping an eye on any future signals of regulatory easing that could eventually reopen direct links with the United States.
A Test Case for Venezuela’s Tourism Future
The coordinated return of airlines such as Avianca, Air Europa, Turkish Airlines, Plus Ultra, LATAM, GOL, Wingo, TAP, Iberia and Laser Airlines is more than an aviation story. It is an early test of whether Venezuela can rebuild trust with travelers, regulators and investors after a prolonged period of turbulence. Every on-time departure, smooth arrival and positive visitor experience in Caracas will play a role in reshaping perceptions that were formed during years of crisis headlines.
Success is far from guaranteed. Infrastructure at Maiquetía airport and within Caracas itself must keep pace with rising demand, from immigration and security processing to ground transport and reliable utilities for hotels and restaurants. Clear, transparent communication from authorities on safety conditions and entry requirements will be critical, particularly for first-time visitors from Colombia, Brazil and Spain who may have only a vague understanding of how the situation on the ground has evolved.
Yet for now, optimism is running high among many of the stakeholders who kept Venezuela’s tourism dream alive during the darkest years. With more planes on the tarmac, more hotel rooms coming back online and a new generation of travelers curious about what Caracas has to offer, the city is poised to find out whether this latest reopening can finally deliver the hospitality boom it has been waiting for.