The Venezuelan state airline, Conviasa, has temporarily suspended its flights between Caracas and Havana. This decision comes in the wake of the closure of Venezuela's Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, following the powerful earthquakes that struck the nation on June 24.
An official statement released by Havana's José Martí International Airport on its social media page confirmed that, "due to the earthquakes on June 24, operations at Maiquetía's Simón Bolívar International Airport have been halted," necessitating the rescheduling of the Caracas–Santa Lucía (Mexico)–Caracas route as well.
Effective immediately, this suspension is expected to last "for an estimated period of fifteen (15) days, or until such time as the competent authorities fully restore operations at the aforementioned airport," as stated in the announcement.
Impact of the Earthquakes on Venezuela
The crisis stems from two massive earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred on June 24 at 6:04 PM local time, with epicenters in the state of Yaracuy and near Morón in Carabobo. These quakes are the most severe to hit Venezuela in over 125 years.
Maiquetía Airport, Venezuela's primary air gateway, experienced significant structural damage including collapsed roofs, shattered windows and walls, cracks in the main runway, and damaged airline counters, leading to its indefinite closure. Other airlines, such as Iberia, Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and American Airlines, have also halted their flights to Caracas.
Human and Economic Toll of the Disaster
The human toll is catastrophic. As of June 30, official reports indicate between 1,719 and 1,943 deaths, over 5,000 injuries, and approximately 16,000 people displaced. The United Nations reported that more than 100 buildings collapsed in La Guaira, the hardest-hit coastal city, while NASA estimates suggest about 59,000 buildings may be destroyed based on satellite assessments. The United Nations Development Program has preliminarily estimated damages at $6.7 billion.
As of Wednesday, Maiquetía Airport remained closed with no official reopening date, and repair efforts have just begun. Since the major quake, more than 512 aftershocks have been recorded, including a 4.6 magnitude tremor on Monday in the Caraballeda area of La Guaira state.
Consequences for Travelers
The suspension directly affects Cuban and Venezuelan passengers who rely on this route, at a time when Cuba is already experiencing a severe international air connectivity crisis. This is not the first time Conviasa has halted this service; in February 2026, flights to Cuba were suspended due to a shortage of Jet A-1 fuel in Cuban airports, and in October 2025, flights were canceled following Hurricane Melissa.
Until Maiquetía Airport fully resumes operations, the Caracas to Havana route will remain suspended, with no clear timeline for resumption provided by either side.
FAQs on Conviasa Flight Suspension and Venezuela Earthquakes
Why did Conviasa suspend flights to Cuba?
Conviasa suspended flights due to the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía after devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
How long is the suspension expected to last?
The suspension is expected to last for approximately fifteen days or until the airport can fully resume operations.
What damages did the earthquakes cause to Maiquetía Airport?
The earthquakes caused significant structural damage, including roof collapses, wall and window damage, cracks in the main runway, and damaged airline counters.