Earthquake Grounds Flights at Venezuela’s Main Gateway

June 25, 2026

Venezuela's capital city of Caracas.

The closure of Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) following Wednesday’s earthquakes disrupted more than 110 scheduled passenger flights on Thursday, cutting off Venezuela’s primary domestic and international gateway at the start of a full day of operations.

Authorities closed the airport—set just north of Caracas—after reporting earthquake damage and said structural and operational assessments are ongoing. No reopening timeline had been announced at press time.

The disruption extends well beyond a handful of international flights. Service from Panama City, Bogota, Miami, Madrid, Istanbul, Sao Paulo and numerous domestic destinations were affected, with airlines including Copa, Avianca, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines and others canceling or diverting flights. Copa has also issued a travel advisory for passengers flying to, from or through Caracas.

Several carriers have introduced flexible travel policies. Avianca is allowing passengers booked between June 24 and July 1 to rebook without penalty, reroute through Cucuta or request a refund.

Impact on Planners & Future Travel

For meeting and incentive planners with groups traveling to Venezuela, the closure could affect arrivals, departures and connections throughout the region. Travelers should check directly with their airline before departing for the airport and monitor carrier updates as inspections continue.

Videos from inside the terminal show ceiling damage, fallen panels and debris, though authorities have not yet released a full assessment of airport infrastructure. Even if runways remain usable, commercial flights cannot resume until passenger facilities, security systems and emergency operations are confirmed safe.

The closure comes just as Caracas had begun rebuilding international air service after years of limited connectivity. American Airlines resumed Miami-Caracas service in April, United Airlines had planned to restart Houston service in August, and several Latin American and European carriers had expanded operations in recent months.

That makes a prolonged closure more significant than a typical airport disruption. Beyond the immediate travel delays, it temporarily interrupts one of Venezuela’s key links to North America, Latin America and Europe. For planners with upcoming events or incentive programs in the region, flexibility and close coordination with airline partners will be essential until authorities announce a reopening date.