Flights Between Colombia and Venezuela Suspended for 72 Hours

Today, a NOTAM issued from the FIR of Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, serving Caracas, announced the suspension of all general and commercial aviation flights between Venezuela and Colombia.

The NOTAM became effective at 4:43 GMT on Friday, January 10, and will remain in place until 23:59 on Monday, January 13.

The announcement coincides with Nicolás Maduro's swearing-in as President of Venezuela for a new term. However, the results of the July 28 elections have not been recognized by the opposition or much of the international community, with the exception of some far-left sectors.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported this morning that it had received a communication from the Venezuelan government on Thursday, January 9, informing them of the decision to close the border and airspace between the two countries for 72 hours, citing "internal reasons."

Impacted Flights Between Colombia and Venezuela

For Friday, January 10, three flights were scheduled between the two countries:

• SATENA flight 8904 between Bogotá and Valencia.
• LATAM flight 4404 between Bogotá and Caracas.
• LASER flight 2980 between Caracas and Bogotá.

On Saturday, January 11, three additional flights were scheduled, all between Bogotá and Caracas:

• Avior flight 1421.
• Avianca flight 142.
• Wingo flight 7066.

On Sunday, January 12, three more flights between the capitals were scheduled:

• Avianca flight 142.
• LATAM flight 4404.
• LASER flight 2981.

Additionally, Turpial Airlines flight 881 was scheduled between Bogotá and Valencia, and Wingo flight 7402 was scheduled between Medellín and Caracas.

Finally, on Monday, January 13, theoretically the last day of the suspension, four flights were set to operate:

• Avior flight 1413 between Caracas and Medellín.
• LATAM flight 4404, Wingo flight 7066, and LASER flight 2981, all between Caracas and Bogotá.