Notice2026-07572
Rescission of the Suspension of All Direct Commercial Passenger and Cargo Flights Between the United States and Venezuela
Primary source
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Published
April 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security Department
Abstract
This notice informs the public that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew and that it is not in the public interest to continue the suspension of all commercial passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has rescinded the May 15, 2019, Order suspending all direct commercial passenger and cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. DHS is in the process of re-establishing commercial air transportation for passenger and cargo operations between the United States and Venezuela and, as discussed further below, conducting individual airport assessments to ensure the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew traveling between the United States and Venezuela for which the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has received notification from air carriers desiring to commence service.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 74 (Friday, April 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20698-20699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07572]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Rescission of the Suspension of All Direct Commercial Passenger
and Cargo Flights Between the United States and Venezuela
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer
threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew and
that it is not in the public interest to continue the suspension of all
commercial passenger and cargo flights between the United States and
Venezuela. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has rescinded
the May 15, 2019, Order suspending all direct commercial passenger and
cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. DHS is in the
process of re-establishing commercial air transportation for passenger
and cargo operations between the United States and Venezuela and, as
discussed further below, conducting individual airport assessments to
ensure the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew
traveling between the United States and Venezuela for which the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has received notification
from air carriers desiring to commence service.
DATES: Applicable April 15, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Yatar, Executive Director,
Policy, Plans, and Engagement--International Policy & Programs TSA-4,
Transportation Security Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive,
Springfield, VA 20598-6004; telephone: (571) 227-2699; email: Eric.
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e677f6a7f6c5e6a6d7f307a766d30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e09981948192a0949381ce848893ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to section 44907(e) of title 49, United States Code, if
``(1) a condition exists that threatens the safety or security of
passengers, aircraft, or crew traveling to or from [a foreign] airport;
and (2) the public interest requires an immediate suspension of
transportation between the United States and that airport,'' the
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of
Transportation and with the approval of the Secretary of State, shall
suspend flights to and from that foreign airport.
On June 4, 2019, DHS published a notice in the Federal Register
stating that the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security had determined
that conditions in Venezuela threatened the safety and security of
passengers, aircraft, and crew, and that the public interest required
an immediate suspension of air transportation. The June 4, 2019
determination was based on several factors, including: (1) reports of
civil unrest and violence in and around the airports; (2) the inability
of TSA to gain access to Venezuelan airports to conduct required
security assessments to determine whether adequate security measures
are in place; (3) the economic and political crisis in Venezuela; (4)
cancellation of flights to Venezuela by American Airlines, the largest
air carrier providing service, and two other carriers; (5) the U.S.
Department of State's publication of Do Not Travel advisories,
suspension of Embassy operations, and recommendation that TSA
inspectors not enter the country owing to safety concerns; (6) the
Federal Aviation Administration's issuance of a Notice to Airmen
(NOTAM) on May 1, 2019, which prohibited all flight operations by U.S.
air carriers and commercial operators in Venezuela airspace below FL
260; and (7) the risk of Maduro regime actions against U.S. citizens
and U.S. interests located in Venezuela. Following Secretary of State
approval, the Department of Transportation concurred with this
determination and suspended foreign air transportation of passengers or
cargo to or from any airport in Venezuela, effective May 15, 2019. See
DOT-OST-2019-0072.
Consistent with statutory requirements, DHS required that the
Secretary of Homeland Security's determination regarding conditions in
Venezuela be displayed prominently in all U.S. airports with regularly
scheduled air carrier operations. The Secretary of Homeland Security
also instructed TSA to require that each foreign and domestic air
carrier providing air transportation originating in the United States
to any person with a flight itinerary that originates in, transfers or
transits through, or has a final destination to any airport in
Venezuela, provide written notice to such person advising that
conditions in Venezuela currently present a threat to the traveling
public.
Rescission
On January 3, 2026, President Donald J. Trump announced that the
U.S. military had launched strikes across Venezuela that culminated in
the capture and arrest of President Nicol[aacute]s Maduro and his wife
Cilia Flores.
[[Page 20699]]
Maduro and Flores were transferred to New York to face narco-terrorism,
drug trafficking, and weapons charges. Venezuela's new interim
government has since re-established diplomatic and economic
relationships with the United States.
On January 29, 2026, the President of the United States directed
the DOT and other concerned U.S. government agencies to take the steps
necessary to re-establish air service to Venezuela. Accordingly, the
Secretary of Transportation issued Order 2026-1-24 that same day,
rescinding the 2019 Order. On March 14, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in
Caracas raised the American flag, symbolizing a shift in the bilateral
relationship between the two governments.
TSA has re-established direct communications with the National
Institute of Civil Aviation of Venezuela (INAC) and conducted an
assessment at Maiquet[iacute]a ``Sim[oacute]n Bol[iacute]var''
International Airport (CCS) in Caracas between February 22 and 24,
2026. TSA made several recommendations to INAC and concluded that
sufficient security measures have been implemented at CCS to commence
commercial flight operations from the United States to CCS. TSA is
collaborating with INAC to address these recommendations and
coordinating additional assessments at other airports in Venezuela. TSA
is currently working with several U.S. aircraft operators and foreign
air carriers to re-establish direct service between the United States
and Venezuela.
On March 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel
alert from ``Level 4: Do Not Travel'' to ``Level 3: Reconsider
Travel.'' The conditions that led to this change by the Department of
State were also considered in the threat assessment conducted by TSA,
as well as the overall improvement in the relationship between
Venezuela and the United States.
Consistent with the President's direction and the changed
conditions in Venezuela, DHS is rescinding its previous determination
and related requirements suspending all direct commercial passenger and
cargo flights between the United States and Venezuela. As noted above,
TSA will continue assessing security at Venezuelan airports on an
individual basis concerning the possible future commencement of
commercial flight operations to and from each airport.
Dated: April 15, 2026.
Markwayne Mullin,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2026-07572 Filed 4-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P
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