The government of Panama officially confirmed the resumption of commercial flights with Venezuela, ending a nine-month suspension caused by political tensions. The announcement follows reports from Nicolás Maduro’s administration on Tuesday night hinting at the restoration of air service.

In a statement, Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority expressed strong support for international commercial air transport under an open skies policy, stating it “welcomes the resumption of flights between the two nations with great satisfaction.”

Venezuela had unilaterally suspended the flights last July, after Panama, in alignment with much of the Western world, refused to recognize the results of Venezuela’s presidential election, which allowed Nicolás Maduro to secure another term.

Which flights are resuming?

On Friday, May 23, Venezolana will be the first airline to restart service between Panama and Venezuela, operating two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Fridays. Departures from Caracas are scheduled for 13:30, arriving in Panama at 15:00. Return flights will leave Tocumen Airport at 17:00 and land in Caracas at 20:30.

Copa Airlines will resume daily flights between Panama and Caracas starting May 27, with a second daily frequency added from June 23.

The initial daily flight will depart Panama at 14:46 and arrive in Caracas at 18:11. The return leg will leave Caracas at 19:20, arriving in Panama at 20:47.

Beginning June 1, the schedule shifts: flights from Panama will depart at 9:03, arriving at 12:22, with return flights from Caracas at 13:32, landing at 15:01.

The second frequency will leave Panama at 11:36, arriving in Caracas at 15:01, and depart from Caracas at 16:11, landing in Panama at 17:37. All times are local.

Before the diplomatic fallout, the Venezuela–Panama air market included the following services:

Copa Airlines

• Barcelona (BLA): three weekly flights
• Barquisimeto (BRM): three weekly flights
• Caracas (CCS): 23 weekly flights
• Maracaibo (MAR): six weekly flights
• Valencia (VLN): seven weekly flights

Turpial Airlines

• Valencia: one weekly flight

Venezolana de Aviación

• Barquisimeto: one weekly flight
• Caracas: two weekly flights
• Maracaibo: one weekly flight

There is still no confirmation on when Turpial Airlines will resume service or when Copa Airlines and Venezolana will restore their full route networks.