Last updated: October 16, 2026. We added the commercial area and temporary-terminal operations report published by IAIM on October 14. We added the air-conditioned bus transfer reported by LASER on October 10. We retain the October 3 inauguration of the temporary domestic-arrivals terminal and LASER’s arrival-time recommendation published on October 6. We retain the October 3 parking information, confirmation of Turkish Airlines’ return from October 1 and LASER’s September 29 entry guidance. Apart from these dated updates, the infrastructure, airline and route tables reflect announcements reviewed through August 29; this update does not confirm that they remain current in October. Check each flight’s airport and status with your airline.
October 14: commercial area and temporary-terminal operations
In its October 14 post, IAIM identifies a commercial area opposite the short-stay parking lot, with cafés, snacks, desserts and outdoor spaces.
The announcement does not establish opening hours or companion-access conditions. It also does not, by itself, change LASER’s food and drink restrictions inside the temporary terminal, retained below. Confirm access conditions before visiting.
In another October 14 post at 17:57 UTC, IAIM reported that the temporary terminals were operating normally and recommended checking the boarding gate and flight with the airline. This is a dated report about the temporary terminals, not individual confirmation of your flight or of the reopening of all permanent infrastructure.
Temporary domestic-arrivals terminal inaugurated on October 3
The Ministry of Transport reported on October 3, 2026 that Maiquetía’s Temporary Domestic Arrivals Terminal was inaugurated that day. This update concerns domestic arrivals; it does not mean the entire main terminal has returned to normal operations.
If arriving on a domestic flight, confirm with your airline where to collect baggage and meet anyone picking you up. The August infrastructure table below is historical and does not, by itself, describe the October layout.
Schedule reviewed August 29, 2026. The schedule expanded after the first announcement: Air Europa and Avianca return to Maiquetía on September 1, American Airlines expects to resume Caracas–Miami on September 3, and LATAM returns to Bogotá from September 4. Plus Ultra will maintain a split operation between Valencia and Caracas during September. Confirm the airport code on every segment before traveling.
Maiquetía had been closed to commercial traffic for more than two months after the June 24, 2026 double earthquake, of approximately magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, which damaged the main terminal's infrastructure. During that period, operations were spread across Valencia, Barcelona, Maracaibo, and other regional airports.
The reopening is real, but partial. It is not an immediate return to normal, and the same airline may temporarily operate from more than one Venezuelan airport.
What reopens on September 1
The Maiquetía International Airport Institute announced on August 25 that domestic and international operations will restart from provisional modular structures with separate departure and arrival areas.
| Temporary area | Infrastructure | Reported capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic departures | More than 3,300 m² and three boarding gates. | About 480 passengers at one time. |
| International departures | About 4,300 m² and four boarding gates. | About 780 passengers at one time. |
| Arrivals | Shared area of roughly 2,550 m² for domestic and international flights. | The IAIM did not publish a separate figure for this area. |
Combined capacity is around 1,260 simultaneous passengers, equivalent to roughly 30% of pre-earthquake operations. In terms of flights, El Diario reported that the reopening covers approximately 33% of the usual international flight volume. The provisional facilities include air conditioning, restrooms, medical services, wifi, charging points, vending machines, and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.
International airlines returning to Maiquetía
This is the schedule announced through August 29. Frequencies may change during the first phase, and none replaces direct confirmation from the operator.
| Airline | Route | Initial frequency | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Airlines | Caracas – Madrid | Between 5 and 6 weekly depending on the source; check your ticket. | September 1 |
| Laser Airlines | Caracas – Miami | Daily. | September 1 |
| Laser Airlines | Caracas – Santo Domingo | Wednesday and Sunday. | September 1 |
| Air Europa | Caracas – Madrid | According to the issued booking. | September 1 |
| Copa Airlines | Caracas – Panama City | Daily. | September 1 |
| Avianca | Caracas – Bogotá | Daily. | September 1 |
| American Airlines | Caracas – Miami | Daily. | September 3 |
| LATAM Airlines Colombia | Caracas – Bogotá | Monday, Friday, and Saturday. | September 4 |
Air Europa officially confirmed its return to CCS from September 1. Avianca announced daily Bogotá–Caracas flights from the same date; the first Caracas–Bogotá return is scheduled for September 2. American Airlines announced the Miami–Caracas restart for September 3 and has inventory published through its channels. LATAM begins September 4 with three weekly frequencies and sales from August 29.
Sources still differ on Laser's Madrid frequency: some report five weekly flights while others report Monday-through-Saturday service. Confirm the exact day and time on your ticket before arranging transfers or connections.
Domestic flights from the temporary terminals
Domestic operations also restart from the provisional area. According to El Diario, Rutaca reconnects Caracas with Porlamar, Maracaibo, Barcelona, Puerto Ordaz, and Maturín, and Aeropostal resumes Porlamar and Maracaibo. Reported frequencies vary between sources, so confirm the day and time with the airline.
Which routes remain at alternate airports
CAMF Travel's route map updated in August shows that Valencia, Barcelona, Barquisimeto, and Maracaibo will remain part of the international network during the reopening. This summary helps identify the likely airport; it does not replace the issued itinerary.
| Airport | Notable airlines and routes | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valencia (VLN) | Avianca, Wingo, and Turpial to Bogotá; Copa and Turpial to Panama City; Turpial to Punta Cana; Plus Ultra to Madrid and Tenerife; TAP to Lisbon. | Remains the main alternate airport. Several frequencies continue during September. |
| Barcelona (BLA) | Laser and Avior to Bogotá; Avior to Medellín; Copa to Panama City. | Laser keeps Bogotá on Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
| Barquisimeto (BRM) | La Venezolana, Copa, and Estelar to Panama City. | Service operates on airline-specific days. |
| Maracaibo (MAR) | Copa to Panama City, American Airlines to Miami, and Avianca to Bogotá. | All three routes are listed as daily; Avianca launched Bogotá–Maracaibo on August 28. |
Three details prevent reading the map as a complete move:
- Avianca operates at several airports: the airline maintains Bogotá–Valencia, launched Bogotá–Maracaibo on August 28, and resumes Bogotá–Caracas on September 1, all daily according to its official announcement.
- Plus Ultra will use a hybrid transition: its August 28 advisory keeps Madrid and Tenerife services at Valencia through September 27, except for Tuesday service, which moves to Maiquetía from September 8.
- LATAM should no longer be treated as a Valencia departure: its announced schedule returns to Maiquetía on September 4. Check for the CCS code before arranging transportation.
Turkish Airlines resumes Istanbul–Maiquetía flights in October
In its October 2, 2026 post, INAC confirmed that Turkish Airlines resumed flights between Istanbul and Maiquetía on October 1, with four weekly services.
Confirm departure days and times with the airline for your chosen direction and date, along with availability and the airport for each segment. This announcement concerns Istanbul–Maiquetía; it does not confirm Caracas–Lima operations or guarantee connections with other flights.
LASER’s guidance for the temporary terminal
In its September 29, 2026 post, LASER shares these instructions for its passengers at Maiquetía’s temporary terminal:
- Entry is limited to ticketed passengers, without accompanying visitors.
- Food and drinks may not be brought inside.
- Video surveillance and security staff are in place during operations; loudspeakers keep passengers informed.
- Arrive with your documents ready and the time allowance recommended by the airline, and follow staff instructions.
This is LASER’s guidance for that temporary terminal. If you are flying with another airline or need assistance, check the entry arrangements directly before planning your arrival.
In its October 3, 2026 post, LASER said Maiquetía’s temporary terminals have short- and long-stay parking available, allowing travelers to choose according to the length of their trip. The airline recommends planning the arrival with time to spare.
In its October 6, 2026 post, LASER recommends that its passengers arrive at the temporary terminal 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. This is LASER’s recommendation, not a shared time allowance for all airlines. If flying with another operator, check its own guidance; also confirm your flight’s check-in and boarding deadlines.
In its October 10, 2026 post, LASER reported that transfers from Maiquetía’s temporary terminals to aircraft use air-conditioned buses. This information reflects LASER’s statement; if you fly with another airline or need assistance, confirm the boarding arrangements with your operator.
What to confirm before you travel
- Exact airport: check the CCS, VLN, BLA, MAR, BRM, or MYC code on every segment of the ticket, not only the first one.
- Flight status: check your email, the airline app, and its service center; the initial schedule may receive adjustments.
- Access and arrival time: entry points to the temporary terminals are not the ones used by the regular terminal. Ask about the entrance, recommended arrival time, and companion rules.
- Baggage: confirm where bags are accepted and collected within the provisional layout, as well as your fare's allowance.
- Connections: if your itinerary includes a segment on another airline, check that minimum connection times still work with the new schedules.
- Ground transportation: book it only after confirming the final airport. Caracas and Valencia are about three hours apart by road.
- Documents: verify the requirements of your destination and any transit country.
A phased reopening, not a return to normal
September 1 marks the restart of Caracas's international connectivity, but the transition will remain spread across several airports during September. An airline announced at Maiquetía does not mean all of its flights move on the same day.
At CAMF Travel, we can review the airport shown on your ticket, available alternatives, and itinerary connections with you. Authorization and operation of each flight remain the responsibility of the airport and airline. Message us on WhatsApp with your route, date, and number of travelers.