# Maiquetía Airport and La Guaira port recovery progress > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-activities-in-caracas-expand-after-embassy-relocation > Updated: 2026-09-05T20:51:25.000Z. Sources: 195. Developments: 30. Following the June 24, 2026, earthquakes that devastated Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the facility has transitioned from cargo-only services to full commercial passenger operations. While the airport initially reopened at 25% capacity using modular metal structures and tents, Transport Minister Francisco Garcés reported that operations have since increased to approximately 45% capacity. Passenger services officially restarted in late August/early September. Key airline reintegrations include Conviasa resuming flights to Mexico City, Copa Airlines restarting service to Caracas, and Air Europa joining the recovery efforts. American Airlines is scheduled to begin daily direct service between Miami and Caracas on September 3 using Boeing 737 aircraft. The temporary terminals continue to accommodate between 480 and 780 passengers depending on the terminal type. Regarding long-term recovery, Minister Garcés clarified that 40% of traditional terminal functions were expected to be restored by November 2026. However, updated projections from the Minister now suggest that partial recovery of the airport is expected by the first half of 2027. Current operational levels have reached approximately 49% for domestic flights and 46% for international operations. He also dismissed rumors of constructing a new airport in Caracas, citing insufficient land availability. In parallel, the progressive reactivation of the La Guaira port continues under the oversight of SENIAT to stabilize maritime trade flows. ## Claims - Maiquetía International Airport will resume commercial operations on September 1 using temporary terminals. (disputed by 26 sources) - The airport's initial reopening phase will operate at 25% capacity. (disputed by 5 sources) - The initial phase of operations will cover between 30% and 35% of the airport's previous capacity. (disputed by 4 sources) - The airport is expected to resume commercial operations on Monday, August 24. (disputed by 2 sources) - The temporary facilities will accommodate both domestic and international flights. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The airport has been closed to commercial traffic since earthquakes occurred on June 24. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The Maiquetía International Airport Institute (IAIM) announced that temporary terminals are ready for operations. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Cargo operations at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía will resume on 5 August 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The resumption includes both inbound and outbound cargo flights. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Cargo operations were suspended after twin earthquakes on 24 June 2026 that measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Ministry of Transport announced the reactivation through an IAIM circular to cargo handlers, customs agents and regulators. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The reactivation aims to restore logistics for importers and exporters and strengthen air connectivity. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Venezuela launches reconstruction plan following devastating June earthquakes Venezuela is implementing a reconstruction plan following June 24 earthquakes that killed 6,509 people. Efforts include building new seismic codes, debris removal, and restoring airport operations. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-advances-fishing-cooperation-with-fao-and-continues-disaster-relief-efforts ### 2026-09-02: Maiquetía Airport resumes operations via temporary terminals after earthquakes Venezuela's Maiquetía International Airport has resumed operations via temporary terminals following June earthquakes, currently operating at 45% capacity with plans for gradual restoration. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-international-airport-resumes-operations-via-temporary-terminals ### 2026-09-01: Simón Bolívar International Airport resumes commercial flights in Venezuela Venezuela's Simón Bolívar International Airport has resumed commercial passenger flights following a two-month closure caused by major earthquakes in June. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/simn-bolvar-international-airport-resumes-commercial-flights-in-venezuela ### 2026-08-31: Venezuela announces U.S. oil pact and resumes airport operations Venezuela's military supports a 25-year oil agreement with the U.S. to boost production, while the country begins restoring key infrastructure, including Maiquetía airport and La Guaira port, after June's quat- 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-guaira-port-and-simn-bolvar-airport-reactivate-after-june-earthquakes ### 2026-08-30: Maiquetía International Airport resumes flights via temporary terminals Maiquetía International Airport resumes commercial flights on September 1 using temporary modular terminals following earthquake damage. Major airlines including Air Europa, Iberia, and Copa are returning. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-airport-restores-connectivity-via-temporary-terminals ### 2026-08-28: Maiquetía International Airport to resume commercial flights on September 1 Maiquetía International Airport will resume commercial flights on September 1 using temporary terminals following earthquake damage. Major airlines including Avianca, Copa, and Air Europa are returning. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-airlines-resume-flights-to-venezuela-following-earthquakes ### 2026-08-25: Simón Bolívar International Airport to reopen in Venezuela Venezuela's Simón Bolívar International Airport will reopen for domestic and international flights on September 1, following damage from June's deadly double earthquake. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/simn-bolvar-international-airport-to-reopen-in-venezuela ### 2026-08-25: Maiquetía International Airport to resume operations via temporary terminals Venezuela's Maiquetía International Airport will resume commercial domestic and international flights on September 1 using temporary modular terminals following earthquake damage in June. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-international-airport-to-resume-operations-on-september-1 ### 2026-08-25: Venezuela reports rising exchange rates and airport reopening Venezuela reports an official exchange rate of 787.52 bolívares per USD. Meanwhile, Maiquetía Airport is set to reopen on September 1 following earthquake repairs, and new housing and education plans are active 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-reports-rising-exchange-rates-and-airport-reopening ### 2026-08-23: Maiquetía International Airport to resume operations via temporary terminals Maiquetía International Airport in Venezuela will resume commercial flights via temporary terminals on September 1 following devastating earthquakes. Meanwhile, Colombia's Matecaña Airport is gradually resuming 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-international-airport-delays-reopening-of-temporary-terminals ### 2026-08-21: Maiquetía Airport to resume limited operations on August 24 Maiquetía International Airport is set to resume limited commercial operations on August 24 with roughly eight daily flights following earthquake damage, though some airline officials report a lack of formal's. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-airport-to-resume-limited-operations-on-august-24 ### 2026-08-18: Maiquetía International Airport to implement temporary terminals Maiquetía International Airport is preparing temporary terminals for domestic and international flights, though travel agencies report a lack of information regarding participating airlines and schedules. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-international-airport-to-implement-temporary-terminals ### 2026-07-31: Maiquetía Airport to Resume Cargo Flights on August 5 Venezuela will restart cargo flights at Maiquetía’s Simón Bolívar Airport on 5 Aug 2026, after the June 24 earthquakes that halted operations, aiming to restore logistics and connectivity. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelas-maiqueta-airport-to-resume-cargo-flights-on-august-5 ### 2026-07-28: Venezuela's Maiquetía Airport to reopen partially within months after June quakes Venezuela plans to partially reopen Maiquetía Airport within months after June quakes and is inspecting thousands of buildings, pledging no demolition of structures with unrecovered victims. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelas-maiqueta-airport-to-reopen-partially-within-months-after-june-quakes ### 2026-07-26: Maiquetía Airport to Reopen Partially After June Earthquakes Maiquetía’s Simón Bolívar Airport will partially reopen on 24 August at 35‑40 % capacity, with digital check‑in and shuttle buses, while the transport minister estimates a 10‑12‑week repair period after June’s‑ 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maiqueta-airport-to-reopen-partially-after-june-earthquakes ### 2026-07-26: Lightning strike injures nine at Valencia's Arturo Michelena Airport A lightning strike at Valencia's Arturo Michelena Airport injured nine (four Guard members, five staff) but damaged no planes; the situation was controlled and victims were taken to Enrique Tejera Hospital. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lightning-strike-injures-eight-at-valencia-airport-disrupting-spanish-flights ### 2026-07-20: Venezuela assesses Maiquetía airport damage and issues repair guidelines after June quakes Venezuelan officials inspected Maiquetía airport after June's 7.5‑ and 7.2‑magnitude quakes and issued technical repair manuals, demanding municipal permits and certified workers for rebuilding. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-assesses-maiqueta-airport-damage-and-issues-repair-guidelines-after-june-quakes ### 2026-07-17: U.S. Air Force Supports Humanitarian Aid at Venezuela's Maiquetía Airport U.S. Air Force’s Contingency Response Element is active at Maiquetía Airport, speeding humanitarian aid delivery after Venezuela’s June 24 earthquakes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-air-force-supports-humanitarian-aid-at-venezuelas-maiqueta-airport ### 2026-07-08: Venezuela earthquakes shift flights to Valencia airport, spark UN aid request Venezuela's June earthquakes closed Maiquetía airport, moving flights to Valencia and prompting a UN appeal for $296 million in aid and calls to unfreeze frozen assets. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-earthquakes-shift-flights-to-valencia-airport-spark-un-aid-request ### 2026-07-03: U.S. Air Force Boosts Relief at Venezuela's Maiquetía Airport U.S. Air Force's 110‑aviator contingent opened Maiquetía Airport for faster earthquake relief, assessing runways and boosting cargo capacity in cooperation with Venezuelan authorities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-air-force-boosts-relief-at-venezuelas-maiqueta-airport ### 2026-07-03: Venezuela moves to reopen Maiquetía airport after deadly June earthquakes After June’s deadly earthquakes, Venezuela’s interim president announced an alternate plan to reopen Maiquetía airport on a parallel runway, with U.S. military aid and a new international recovery alliance. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-plans-to-resume-international-flights-from-maiqueta-airport ### 2026-06-30: Venezuela earthquakes close Maiquetía Airport, halt flights and shift traffic to alternate hubs Venezuela's June 24 earthquakes damaged Maiquetía Airport, shutting it and forcing airlines to suspend or reroute flights, with Conviasa halting Caracas‑Havana service and Valencia becoming the primary hub for 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-earthquakes-close-maiqueta-airport-halt-international-flights ### 2026-06-29: Venezuela routes flights to Valencia after Maiquetía airport closure After deadly June 24 earthquakes closed Maiquetía airport, Venezuela rerouted international flights to Valencia’s Arturo Michelena airport. Airlines added flights and flexibility, while the government denied US 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/avianca-and-other-carriers-shift-venezuela-flights-to-valencia-airport ### 2026-06-22: Conviasa launches three new domestic routes in Venezuela Conviasa adds three new domestic routes in Venezuela, connecting Maracaibo‑Barcelona, Puerto Ordaz‑El Vigía and El Vigía‑Barcelona, with fares starting around US$130‑$160. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/conviasa-launches-three-new-domestic-routes-in-venezuela ### 2026-06-05: GOL Linhas Aéreas adds fourth weekly flight on São Paulo‑Caracas route from July 4 2026 GOL Linhas Aéreas raises São Paulo‑Caracas flights to four weekly trips from 4 July 2026, using Boeing 737 MAX 8; tickets start at $653 round‑trip. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gol-adds-fourth-weekly-brazilvenezuela-flight-from-so-paulo-to-caracas ### 2026-06-04: Venezuela prepares for FAA visit to regain Category 1 air safety rating Venezuela is coordinating a FAA delegation visit to pursue Category 1 air‑safety certification and expand US commercial flights, following recent TSA inspections and plans by JetBlue for direct service. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-coordinates-faa-visit-to-restore-category-1-air-safety-rating ### 2026-06-02: Copa Airlines restarts Barcelona‑Panamá service, expanding Venezuela's air links Copa Airlines resumed its Barcelona‑Panamá route on 2 June, adding three weekly flights and 1,500 seats monthly, completing Venezuela’s network recovery and improving regional connectivity. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/copa-airlines-restarts-barcelonapanam-service-expanding-venezuelas-air-links ### 2026-06-01: Venezuela gains new international airline routes as Aeroméxico and Copa expand service Aeroméxico plans to restart Caracas flights in Oct 2026, while Copa Airlines has resumed Barcelona‑Panama service, expanding Venezuela’s international air links. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-gains-new-international-airline-routes-as-aeromxico-and-copa-expand-service ### 2026-05-22: Venezuela airports cleared by US safety inspection ahead of expanded flights US TSA cleared Maracaibo and Barcelona airports, enabling United Airlines to resume Houston‑Caracas flights and easing Venezuela's air travel restrictions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-airports-cleared-by-us-safety-inspection-ahead-of-expanded-flights ### 2026-05-17: US TSA Completes Safety Reviews at Maracaibo and Barcelona Airports in Venezuela US TSA finished security reviews at Maracaibo and Barcelona airports, aiming to boost US‑Venezuela air connectivity. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-tsa-completes-safety-reviews-at-maracaibo-and-barcelona-airports-in-venezuela --- Cite as: Maiquetía Airport and La Guaira port recovery progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-activities-in-caracas-expand-after-embassy-relocation