PANAMA CITY (AP) – Panama and Venezuela have announced the resumption of commercial flights, nearly a year after these were suspended due to a diplomatic fallout. The Civil Aviation Authority of Panama confirmed this development on Thursday, marking a significant step towards re-establishing normal relations between the two countries.
The suspension of flights occurred in July 2024, when Venezuela withdrew its diplomatic representation from Panama. This withdrawal was prompted by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino’s refusal to acknowledge the reelection of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuelan airline industry is set to gradually resume flight operations. Marisela De Loaiza, president of the Association of Venezuelan Airlines, stated that all airlines holding permits could commence operations as their schedules permit. However, there has been no immediate commentary from the Venezuelan government regarding this development.
In a news briefing earlier on the same day, President Mulino mentioned that he had received correspondence from Venezuela, although he had yet to read it at the time. He expressed that resuming flights would be in Panama's interest but also emphasized the need for Venezuela to accept the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants deported from Panama.
Some commercial airlines had already started promoting flights between Panama and Venezuela by Thursday, signaling a quick recovery in air travel between the two nations. Panamanian airline Copa Airlines confirmed that it would resume flights and is in the process of finalizing the flight schedules. Additionally, Venezolana Airlines advertised its inaugural flight to start on Friday.
This announcement comes on the heels of Venezuela’s recent action to ban incoming flights from Colombia. The Venezuelan government reported that it had apprehended over 30 individuals allegedly involved in plots to destabilize the country ahead of legislative elections scheduled for the following Sunday.
Panama was among the first Latin American nations to question the legitimacy of the recent presidential election results in Venezuela. Following the declaration of Maduro's victory by the Venezuelan electoral authority last July, Panama called for a thorough review of the electoral process.
As the two countries prepare to resume commercial flights, there is cautious optimism for the normalization of relations, particularly in light of the ongoing political tensions in Venezuela. The gradual resumption of flight operations indicates potential for a thaw in relations, providing an opportunity for business and tourism to flourish between Panama and Venezuela once more.
