ORANJESTAD - Curaçao has become a mandatory stopover for cargo flights between Venezuela and Aruba. According to the Aruban Minister of Civil Aviation, Ursell Arends, local companies from Venezuela and Aruba are allowed to fly to each other's countries as long as the flight makes a stopover at Hato airport in Curaçao.
The current ban on direct flights, including passenger, cargo, and combined flights, between Aruba and Venezuela remains in effect. Passenger flights with stopovers in Curaçao are also prohibited.
The specific conditions for indirect cargo flights are outlined in the bilateral aviation agreement. This temporary policy sets some rules that guide commercial flights until the border with Venezuela is reopened.
These flights from Venezuela to Aruba (or vice versa) with a stopover in Curaçao are limited to a frequency of three times a week and must comply with the conditions set by the Aruban authorities.
For this interim policy, it is necessary that commercial permits are mutually granted, following the principle of reciprocity. As stated, local companies can conduct flights through Curaçao, while similar flights can also be carried out by Venezuelan airlines.
The Aruban Minister of Transport is implementing this policy, according to the decision of the Council of Ministers of Aruba, and it will remain in effect until the border with Venezuela is reopened. The policy was developed after consultations with the Aruban Immigration Service, Aruba Customs, Directorate of Shipping, Directorate of Civil Aviation, Directorate of Foreign Relations, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.