Venezuela’s main international airport has partially resumed commercial flights nearly 10 weeks after two powerful earthquakes caused extensive damage across the country.
The Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state, reopened commercial operations Tuesday with a temporary passenger facility while permanent repairs continue.
Temporary Terminal Opens for Passengers
Airport authorities built a temporary structure in the parking area using metal frames. The facility covers about 10,000 square meters and can handle up to 2,168 passengers each day.
The temporary terminal includes check-in counters, air-conditioned waiting areas, free Wi-Fi, medical services and restrooms.
Meanwhile, buses will transport passengers between the temporary terminal and their aircraft.
Transportation Minister Francisco Garcés said the first stage aims to restore about 25% of the airport’s operations before the earthquakes.
“We hope that with this initial phase of operations … we will recover 25% of the operations we had before the earthquake,” Garcés told reporters.
Airport Capacity to Increase Gradually
Garcés said authorities plan to expand operations as repair work progresses.
According to the minister, the airport could reach 40% of its previous capacity within several months. Officials expect operations to reach around 60% by the end of the year or early next year.
International organizations have also inspected and certified the airport for the partial return of commercial operations, Garcés said.
Deadly Earthquakes Severely Damaged Airport
The airport closed after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes damaged runways, the control tower and passenger and cargo facilities.
More than 6,500 people died, while about 17,900 others lost their homes, according to the figures provided by authorities.
The earthquakes struck just 39 seconds apart along Venezuela’s coastal mountain range. The region contains some of the country’s largest population centers.
Caracas and the states of Carabobo, Miranda, Aragua and Yaracuy also suffered significant damage.
La Guaira Faces Major Economic Challenges
La Guaira recorded most of the deaths from the earthquakes. The state is also home to Venezuela’s main airport and its second-largest port.
The region has a population of about 440,000 people. Many residents depend on tourism, commerce, airport activity and port-related businesses for their livelihoods.
Therefore, the reopening of the airport represents an important step toward restoring economic activity in the region.
Domestic and International Flights Return
The initial reopening includes seven domestic round-trip flights and four international round-trip services.
Copa Airlines of Panama and Air Europa of Spain will operate the initial international services. Iberia, another Spanish carrier, is expected to resume flights in the coming days.
Before the reopening, international passengers had to use smaller airports in Carabobo and Anzoátegui states.
Those airports are approximately 168 kilometers and 314 kilometers from Caracas, respectively, making international travel more difficult for passengers.
Venezuela Begins Long Road to Recovery
The partial reopening of Simón Bolívar International Airport marks an important stage in Venezuela’s recovery from the devastating earthquakes.
However, authorities still face extensive repair work before the airport can return to normal capacity. For now, the temporary terminal will allow airlines and passengers to gradually resume regular operations.
Officials hope that continued repairs will allow the airport to expand its capacity in the coming months and eventually return to full commercial service.
