WILLEMSTAD - The number of private flights from Venezuela to Curaçao has seen a notable increase, according to Peter Steinmetz, director of the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA). This rise is directly linked to the political developments in Venezuela following the presidential elections held on July 28.
A day after the election results, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced a temporary suspension of commercial flights from Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. The suspension was later extended for an additional month, disrupting travel routes for Venezuelans looking to leave the country, particularly those seeking to fly to the United States.
Due to these restrictions, commercial airlines from the affected countries were unable to pick up passengers from Venezuela, forcing travelers to seek alternative routes. As a result, private jets have emerged as a vital travel option, flying Venezuelan passengers to Curaçao, where they can then continue their journeys to the United States.
Despite the increase in private flights, there is no evidence that organizations such as the Curaçao Tourist Board or Curaçao Airport Partners are actively promoting this travel arrangement. The rise in private air traffic appears to be a consequence of the Venezuelan travel restrictions rather than any targeted effort to attract passengers through Curaçao.