MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela reactivates Panama flight despite US “airspace closure”

Rutaca is reportedly capitalizing on surging ticket prices, given the restrictions

In a move to preserve international connectivity amid escalating regional tensions, Venezuelan carrier Rutaca Airlines officially resumed commercial service between the city of Barquisimeto and Panama City on Sunday.

The reactivation follows weeks of uncertainty for the Venezuelan aviation sector. On November 29, US President Donald Trump publicly urged international pilots and airlines to treat Venezuelan airspace as “closed,” leading to the suspension of several major international companies.

The inaugural flights operated at high capacity, signaling strong demand despite the geopolitical climate. Rutaca's outbound flight carried 110 passengers, while 103 were onboard during the return leg, Barquisimeto's General Juan Jacinto Lara International Airport Director Carlos López confirmed.

López insisted that the terminal remained in “optimal operating condition” and emphasized that maintaining this connection was vital for family reunions during the holiday season, as well as for stimulating regional trade and tourism.

The reopening of the Panama route is viewed as a strategic workaround by Venezuelan aviation authorities. As the US maintains a heavy military presence in the Caribbean Sea, conducting maritime interceptions and threatening a “total closure” of airspace, domestic airlines like Rutaca have been forced to adapt.

Industry analysts note that Venezuelan carriers are increasingly using Panama as a primary “connection platform” to bypass direct restrictions, allowing passengers to maintain mobility to other global destinations.

While the political backdrop is defined by threats of a “blockade,” the atmosphere at the Barquisimeto terminal was emotional on Sunday. Passengers described the flight as a crucial lifeline for families separated by the crisis.

Both Rutaca and flag carrier Conviasa keep serving Panama City, while Caribbean Airlines and Sky High offer flights to Port of Spain, Santo Domingo, and Curaçao. Regarding South American destinations, Conviasa and Estelar remain operational to Santa Cruz (Bolivia) and Bogotá (on a limited basis). While services to Madrid are on and off, Turkish Airlines remains an option to Istanbul. Many European and South American carriers, such as Iberia, TAP, LATAM, and Avianca, have had their permits revoked by Venezuela or have suspended service indefinitely following US warnings.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency advisory citing “heightened military activity” and a “potentially hazardous situation” for civil aviation. This has effectively made insurance for international carriers flying into Caracas prohibitively expensive or unavailable.

In this scenario, thousands of travelers between Caracas and Europe remain stranded due to the sudden revocation of licenses for 8 major international airlines.

Ticket prices for the remaining “lifeline” routes -like the Barquisimeto-Panama flight- have surged, with average December fares reportedly reaching over US$750 for regional trips.