The severe aviation crisis gripping Venezuela has forced thousands to devise alternative escape routes amid escalating threats of military conflict with the United States.
With the suspension of international flights, travelers are compelled to embark on intricate domestic circuits, blending road trips with local flights to airports near the borders.
Inland Journeys and Border Crossings
The state of Táchira, located in western Venezuela, has emerged as a crucial transit hub for those heading into Colombia. José Castro shared his journey with the Efe news agency, recounting his travels from Nueva Esparta state.
Casting off from there, he flew to Caracas, then took another flight to San Antonio del Táchira, and finally crossed into Colombia by land. His ultimate destination: Madrid.
“I purchased a ticket to Spain for 900 euros,” he explained.
Such convoluted routes, once unimaginable, have become commonplace since at least 12 international airlines halted operations in Venezuela over the past fortnight.
Aviation Warnings and Isolation
These suspensions followed warnings from U.S. authorities regarding the dangers of flying over Venezuelan and Caribbean airspace amid mounting military tensions in the region.
Venezuela now finds itself cut off from the world by air. No foreign carriers are operating flights to or from the country, pushing a wave of travelers to seek alternative paths.
“I tried to find direct flights from Caracas to Medellín but found none. I had to make my way to the border. It’s more cumbersome, takes longer, and is exhausting,” reported another traveler to the same news agency.
This traveler, also named José, was journeying with his wife from Miranda state to Medellín, Colombia. Their trek cost 540 dollars and marked their first border crossing.
Challenges on the Ground
The overland exodus has also met with hurdles. José Castro recounted how his trip was complicated when he encountered the closed Simón Bolívar International Bridge, the primary crossing between Venezuela and Colombia.
The passage was obstructed by a protest staged by relatives of Colombian citizens detained in Venezuela, who had chained themselves to demand justice.
“I had to take a taxi to another bridge, known as Tienditas, about 10 kilometers from Simón Bolívar, to continue into Colombian territory,” Castro explained.
Surge in Border Airport Activity
The General Cipriano Castro Airport in San Antonio del Táchira has seen a surge in traffic. According to Orlando Méndez, a taxi driver operating at the airport, transportation demands have skyrocketed following the flight cancellations.
“An airline that only arrived in the morning now flies and arrives in the afternoon and vice versa,” he told Efe.
Taxis have thus become an essential tool for those crossing the border. Méndez noted charging 20 dollars “from airport to airport,” facilitating transfers to the Cúcuta air bridge in Colombia through partnerships with Colombian cabbies.
Domestic Carriers Step Up
The crisis has also prompted Venezuelan airlines to adjust their operations. They are launching new routes, such as flights to Bogotá, and increasing frequencies to border cities.
For instance, Estelar Airlines is set to initiate four new weekly flights between San Antonio and Caracas, from December 8 to January 18, 2026.
Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, as reported by Yionnel Contreras, president of the Táchira Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Demand Overwhelms Terminals
Border affairs expert William Gómez reported that the 26 weekly schedules at the Cipriano Castro Airport were already full, moving about 6,000 passengers. He estimated the number could double soon, reaching 12,000 to 14,000 travelers, given the terminal’s strategic location just 15 minutes from Cúcuta’s Camilo Daza Airport.
The scenes in Táchira depict a Venezuela continually striving to leave, not through direct flights but through makeshift journeys.
The uncertainty in the airspace has turned citizens into travelers forced to navigate by land, sea, and air. With no regular connections, no guarantees of open passages, and with exorbitant costs.
Venezuelan Exodus and Border Challenges
Why are international flights suspended in Venezuela?
International flights were suspended due to warnings from U.S. authorities about the risks of flying over Venezuelan and Caribbean airspace amid increasing military tensions.
What routes are Venezuelans using to escape the country?
Venezuelans are combining internal flights and road trips to reach border areas like Táchira, from where they cross into neighboring countries like Colombia.
How are local airlines in Venezuela responding to the crisis?
Local airlines have been launching new routes, such as flights to Bogotá, and increasing flight frequencies to border cities to accommodate the increased demand.