Airlines reroute to Valencia as Caracas airport remains closed after quakes

A week after a devastating double earthquake struck Venezuela's central coast, the main international airport in Caracas remains closed, forcing airlines to reroute flights through Valencia's Arturo Michelena Airport. The death toll has reached 1,719, with over 5,000 injured and an estimated $6.7 billion in damages to housing and economic assets Source: portafolioco.

Airlines adapt to airport closure

Copa Airlines continues to suspend flights to Caracas and has extended additional flights between Panama City and Valencia until at least July 15 Source: portafolioco. Air Europa has reprogrammed three flights from Madrid to Valencia for June 30, July 2, and July 4, using the Arturo Michelena Airport as an alternative Source: infobae. Avianca has launched temporary daily flights between Bogotá and Valencia, initially until July 10 Source: elnacionalve. These measures aim to maintain connectivity while Maiquetía remains restricted due to infrastructure damage.

Humanitarian and economic impact

The earthquakes, magnitudes 7.5 and 7.2, left 855 buildings affected, 189 of which collapsed entirely. The International Airport Arturo Michelena in Valencia has become a key hub, also receiving flights from Air Europa and Avianca Source: elnacionalve. Authorities continue search efforts for thousands of missing persons.

Key facts

• Copa Airlines: no date for resuming Caracas flights; offers free changes and refunds Source: portafolioco.