ITA Airways Plans Venezuela Route As Connectivity Rebuilds

ITA Airways plans to open a nonstop route between Rome and Caracas at the start of the northern summer 2027 season as Venezuela rebuilds international connectivity following a volatile year.

The Italian flag carrier will begin flights from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) on March 30, operating three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays using Airbus A330-900 aircraft.

The launch will restore a nonstop link between Italy and Venezuela and give Caracas passengers onward access through ITA’s Rome hub. The airline currently connects FCO with three South American destinations: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

“Rome and Caracas are once again connected by a direct flight: a service that goes beyond its commercial dimension, bringing people, families and businesses closer together and renewing the historic bond between Italy and Venezuela,” ITA CEO Joerg Eberhart says.

ITA’s launch will restore an Italy-Venezuela link previously operated by its predecessor Alitalia. The former Italian flag carrier suspended Rome-Caracas service in April 2015 amid difficulties repatriating revenue from Venezuela under the country’s currency controls. It had temporarily halted the route in 2014 before resuming flights later that year.

For ITA, Caracas adds another long-haul market as the airline broadens its FCO network. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows the number of destinations served by ITA from Rome increased to 69 during summer 2026 from 66 a year earlier.

The airline is entering Venezuela during a rebuilding of the country’s international network following the U.S. capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in January. According to OAG data, two-way international capacity fell to about 55,400 seats in January, down 42.7% year over year. However, the market then expanded, reaching approximately 80,100 seats in March and 121,700 in May.

That recovery was interrupted by earthquakes on June 24, which damaged facilities at CCS and forced several international airlines to divert flights to Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia. Capacity fell to about 113,200 seats in June and 93,200 in July as operational constraints affected the restoration of international services.

However, the rebound resumed from August, with capacity increasing to 138,300 seats in October. The total represents a rise of 46.5% from a year earlier.

The reopening has been led by a combination of Latin American and international operators. Copa Airlines is Venezuela’s largest foreign carrier by capacity during October, offering about 30,300 two-way seats, followed by Avianca with 16,700. American Airlines, Air Europa, Turkish Airlines and Plus Ultra are also among the country’s largest international operators.

U.S. airlines have played an increasing role in the recovery. American returned to Venezuela in April, ending an absence of almost seven years, and is operating between Miami and Caracas. United Airlines plans to restore Houston-Caracas service in January 2027, while Delta Air Lines has also expressed interest in returning to the market.

European airlines currently serving Venezuela include Air Europa, Iberia and Plus Ultra, which operate between Madrid and Caracas, while Turkish Airlines connects Caracas with Istanbul. TAP Air Portugal’s Lisbon-Caracas route remains suspended through October, but OAG schedules show it returning in November. The wider Europe-Venezuela market also includes Madrid flights marketed by Spain-based Euroairlines and services operated by Venezuelan carriers Laser Airlines and Estelar.

ITA’s entry in March 2027 will therefore add Rome as the third European gateway with nonstop service to Caracas, alongside Madrid and Istanbul.