First flight between Venezuela and Colombia takes off after reestablishing relations

The first flight of Venezuela a Colombiaafter the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, left this Monday after more than two years of suspension of direct air connections.

The plane boeing of the private Venezuelan airline Turpial took off at 5:30 p.m. local time (22:30 GMT) from the international airport of Maiquetiawhich serves Caracas.

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The ‘stand’ of this company was adorned with the flags of Venezuela and Colombia and balloons of the yellow, blue and red colors that the pavilions of both nations share.

Turpiala small airline founded in 2016 based in the city of Valencia (central-north), currently also operates international flights to Panama and Santo Domingo.

Venezuela initially sought to resume the direct connection through the state Conviasabut the financial sanctions of the United States against the Caribbean country closed the door to that possibility.

“Let’s start with two frequencies”, Mondays and Saturdays, Pedro Cestari, president of the company, told the press in Maiquetía. “Later we will increase according to the ‘booking’ (reservations), according to the number of passengers”added the executive, adding that other destinations could also be incorporated.

The Colombian state satin For his part, he plans to fly to Maiquetía on Wednesday, on his first international flight. On November 28, it will also open a Barranquilla-Caracas route.

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The resumption of flights materializes after the reestablishment of bilateral relations with the arrival of Gustavo Petro to power in Colombia, after they were broken in 2019 after the support of the administration of then President Iván Duque to the Venezuelan opposition leader. Juan Guaidoignoring President Nicolás Maduro due to questions about his re-election.

the of Turpial It is also the first direct route between Caracas and Bogotá since March 2020, when Maduro ordered that connection be suspended due to the covid-19 pandemic. The Colombian airline Wingo maintained operations until then.

The resumption was scheduled for September 26, but was delayed due to the situation with Conviasa.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.