Why were U.S.-Venezuela cargo flights suspended, and what changed?

The U.S. government suspended air transport to Venezuela due to perceived safety and security risks amid diplomatic tensions, civil unrest, and political uncertainty. A recent military operation on January 3 resulted in the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro, and Venezuela's new interim government has re-established diplomatic and economic relationships with the United States. The departments of transportation and homeland security subsequently lifted suspension orders, enabling the exemption requests.

What is a DOT exemption, and why do Atlas and ABX need one?

An exemption to the U.S.-Venezuela Air Transport Agreement allows carriers to obtain quick approval for commercial operations without going through lengthy formal review processes. This accelerates market entry by 6-12 months compared to standard route authorization. Both Atlas Air and ABX Air requested two-year exemptions to operate scheduled and charter cargo service, with Atlas beginning operations on August 1.

What aircraft and routes will the carriers use?

Atlas Air plans to deploy Boeing 767-300 cargo jets initially between Miami, New York, Houston, and Los Angeles to Caracas, with an initial route of Miami-Caracas-Bogota-Miami. The airline may upgrade to larger aircraft depending on demand but stated it will not uplift local cargo in Caracas. ABX Air operates exclusively Boeing 767 converted freighters and initially plans charter service between Miami and Caracas.

How will earthquakes in Venezuela affect these new cargo operations?

Recent earthquakes killed over 1,700 people and damaged tens of thousands of buildings. Atlas Air said it planned the Venezuela service before the earthquake but is available to assist with recovery efforts if called. Latam Airlines has already donated two special freighter flights carrying approximately 100 tons of humanitarian aid, demonstrating that restored air cargo capacity supports emergency relief efforts.

Are there any restrictions on competing cargo carriers?

Under the U.S.-Venezuela Air Transport Services Agreement, there are no limitations on the number of all-cargo carriers that may be designated for service to Venezuela. This means additional carriers could potentially apply for exemptions in the future, creating competitive pressure but also expanding overall capacity to the region.

Trade Policy & Tariffs

Moderate

Atlas Air, ABX Win Venezuela Cargo Route Approval

Jun 30, 2026

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The signal

S. Department of Transportation to resume cargo flight operations between the United States and Venezuela, ending a seven-year suspension. S. government restrictions. S.

to Caracas. For supply chain professionals, this development carries dual significance. First, it restores direct air capacity for time-sensitive shipments to and from Venezuela and broader Central/South America, potentially reducing transit times and logistics costs for companies serving the region. Second, the timing coincides with devastating earthquakes in Venezuela that killed over 1,700 people—both carriers have indicated willingness to support humanitarian relief flights, signaling that emergency logistics capacity may also benefit from these new route authorizations. The two-year exemption windows provide a structured pathway for expanding operations as demand stabilizes.

This geopolitical shift underscores how trade policy and diplomatic relations directly reshape supply chain infrastructure. Companies previously locked out of Venezuelan markets or forced into indirect routing through third countries now face genuine alternatives. However, uncertainty remains around Venezuela's long-term political and economic stability, making this a conditional opportunity rather than a guaranteed permanent change.

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#us-venezuela-trade

#international-air-routes

#cargo-exemptions

#supply-chain-reopening

#latin-america-logistics

#humanitarian-relief

#trade-resumption

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

immediate

What if humanitarian demand for air cargo spikes post-earthquake?

Model a surge in emergency and humanitarian cargo shipments to Venezuela in response to earthquake recovery efforts. Assume 3-4x normal cargo volume over 2-3 months directed to Caracas and other affected regions. Assess capacity constraints, pricing pressure, and availability of alternative air cargo carriers.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if Venezuela political instability delays exemption approval?

Simulate a scenario where new political developments in Venezuela cause the DOT to delay or rescind exemption authority, forcing Atlas Air and ABX Air to postpone operations beyond August 2025. Model the impact on cargo routing decisions, transit times to South America, and alternative air carrier capacity in the region.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if competitors secure Venezuela exemptions within 3 months?

Simulate a competitive scenario where 2-3 additional all-cargo carriers (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL) apply for and receive DOT exemptions to serve Venezuela simultaneously. Model pricing pressure, capacity utilization rates, and market share dynamics across the new U.S.-Venezuela-South America air corridor.

Run this scenario

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