Venezuela prepares for FAA visit to regain Category 1 air safety rating

The Venezuelan government is arranging dates for an official delegation from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to visit the country, according to a statement by Bolivarian Airports (BAER). The National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) is handling the logistics after the Transport Minister Jacqueline Faría reported that the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducted a successful technical inspection of the La Chinita International Airport in Maracaibo and the Barcelona airport in May, renewing the former’s operational‑standards certification for five years and upgrading terminals and security systems at both sites.

Venezuelan officials say the upcoming FAA mission is key to regaining a Category 1 rating, the highest safety certification issued by the FAA. Vice‑minister of Air Transport Sergio Silvio confirmed that the visit will be part of the evaluation process and noted that the country now operates about 160 international frequencies to 13 destinations, plus more than 260 domestic flights. He also announced that state carrier Conviasa launched a new weekly route from Porlamar to Barbados and is working to restore flights to the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire).

American low‑cost carrier JetBlue has announced plans to start direct flights between Fort Laurerdale, Florida and Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, pending government approval. At present, the main US‑Venezuela link is provided by American Airlines’ regional partner Envoy Air on the Miami‑Caracas route, marking the return of US airlines after the 2019 suspension of direct services.