ORANJESTAD – The government of Aruba has begun evaluating the possible restoration of air travel with Venezuela, a connection that has been suspended for nearly seven years due to political, security and diplomatic concerns.
Prime Minister Mike Eman confirmed that the Aruban government is currently discussing the matter with authorities in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to determine under what conditions flights between Aruba and Venezuela could resume. A final decision is expected in the coming months once the current period of airspace closure expires.
According to Eman, the discussions focus on several practical and security considerations, including whether the Dutch consular system in Venezuela has the capacity to handle an increase in visa applications if travel between the two countries is restored.
The Dutch Embassy in Caracas is currently able to process up to about 8,000 visas, while roughly 5,000 are handled each month. This could allow for an additional 3,000 applications if travel demand increases following a reopening.
Aruba formally requested that Dutch authorities evaluate whether the current visa system can support a potential reopening and whether it would be advisable to resume air connections under the present circumstances.
The air border between Aruba and Venezuela was closed several years ago due to concerns about security, smuggling and regional instability. Since then, reopening the route has been periodically discussed because of its economic importance to the island.
Tourism and business groups in Aruba have repeatedly expressed interest in restoring flights with Venezuela, which historically represented an important source of visitors and commercial exchange for the island.
Eman said the government now sees what he described as “a light on the horizon,” noting that the possibility of reopening is being seriously considered for the first time in several years.
A final decision on whether to reopen or extend the airspace closure is expected between May and June.
The move could also have a significant impact on Venezuelans living in Aruba, many of whom maintain family ties with communities along the Venezuelan coast, particularly in the state of Falcón.