A Department of Transportation (DOT) filing has revealed that Envoy Air will fly American Airlines’ initial services between the United States and Venezuela, with the regional capacity provider asking the Department for an exemption to fly two routes to the country.
Envoy Air to operate flights to Venezuela
In a DOT filing, Envoy Air requested “exemption authority” that would allow the regional capacity provider to operate American Airlines’ flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) and Maracaibo La Chinita International Airport (MAR).
The regional carrier, a subsidiary of American Airlines, did not provide further details, including the start dates of the two itineraries or their frequencies.
“Subject to the Department’s approval, and other necessary government approvals, Envoy will operate the initially planned service for American.”
Still, Envoy Air noted that on January 29, 2026, the DOT rescinded its previous order from 2019 that forced US-based airlines to suspend their scheduled services from/to Venezuela after Donald Trump, the President of the US, directed the Department and other stakeholders to ensure that regular services from/to Venezuela resume.
The same day, American Airlines announced its intentions to return to the country. Much like Envoy Air, the airline provided little detail, only stating that its return to Venezuela is “pending government approval and security assessments.”
“American will share additional details about its return to service in the coming months as it works closely with federal authorities on all necessary permissions and security assessments prior to resuming service.”
Cirium’s Diio Mi shows that American Airlines was the last US-based airline to serve Venezuela before flights between the two countries were suspended. In April 2019, the carrier operated its Boeing 737-800 and 757 aircraft on flights from MIA to CCS and MAR.
Avior Airlines’ return to the US
In addition to Envoy Air, on February 3, Venezuela-based Avior Airlines asked the DOT for approval to fly passengers from CCS and MAR to MIA, and from Barcelona General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (BLA) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
However, on February 5, “Moises Maionica, who purports to be an Avior shareholder,” filed an objection to Avior Airlines application “ostensibly on behalf of a group of other purported Avior shareholders,” the Venezuelan airline explained.
According to the carrier, Maionica alleged that individuals without authority to act on behalf of Avior Airlines applied for an exemption to fly routes between Venezuela and the US. In response, the airline said that if Maionica has any disputes with its management, “the proper and only appropriate venue to raise his concerns is in Venezuela.”
“Avior respectfully requests that the Department reject Mr. Maionica’s objection, issue Avior the exemption authority as requested, and provide any such additional relief as may be necessary and appropriate.”
Per Cirium’s Diio Mi, before ending its own flights to the US in 2019, Avior Airlines operated flights between BLA and MIA and CCS and MIA.
Rytis Beresnevicius
