Summary: Laser Airlines resumes European flights using wet‑leased Airbus A330 aircraft, signaling a return of long‑haul connectivity from Caracas to Europe even though detailed schedules and frequencies are not yet public.

Venezuela’s Laser Airlines resumes European flights with wet‑leased Airbus A330s, a development that could re‑establish transatlantic links from Caracas and add long‑haul capacity for travelers. The airline has not released full schedules or ticketing details, but the move indicates a renewed push to expand beyond domestic and regional routes.

Reconnecting Venezuela with Europe

Laser Airlines, formally Línea Aérea de Servicio Ejecutivo Regional, is based at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, near Caracas. The carrier has a history of scheduled and charter services within Venezuela and to nearby countries, and in 2024 it launched international operations between Caracas (CCS) and Madrid (MAD) using wet‑leased A330‑200 aircraft — one of the first recent transatlantic services by a Venezuelan airline.

The latest reports confirm Laser will again operate European flights with wet‑leased A330s, enabling it to serve longer routes than its typical regional network. Specific destinations beyond Madrid, frequencies, and exact start dates remain unannounced.

What Laser has announced so far

Available information is limited, but the carrier’s plan to use wet‑leased Airbus A330s makes clear its intent to provide long‑haul capacity. Wet‑leasing allows Laser to deploy aircraft and crew from a partner operator quickly, which can speed the return of transatlantic flights while the airline finalises commercial and operational details.

  • Aircraft type: Wet‑leased Airbus A330 (long‑haul capable)
  • Primary base referenced: Simón Bolívar International Airport (Maiquetía/Caracas)
  • Schedules and frequencies: Not yet publicly disclosed
Laser Airlines Airbus A330 on the tarmac preparing for international service between Caracas and Europe
Laser Airlines is preparing wet‑leased Airbus A330 aircraft to restore European services from Caracas.

Regional revival: other carriers returning to Caracas

Laser’s announcement arrives as several international carriers have restarted or signalled plans to operate to Caracas after service reductions in late 2025. These moves collectively point to a gradual re‑entry of foreign airlines into Venezuelan markets.

  • Avianca resumed daily flights between Bogotá and Caracas
  • Air Europa is scheduled to operate flights between Madrid and Caracas in February
  • Other carriers — LATAM, Wingo, Plus Ultra, Turkish Airlines, GOL and TAP Portugal — have announced plans to restart or expand Caracas services in early 2026

Why flights were disrupted and what has changed

Commercial operations to and from Venezuela saw interruptions in late 2025 after advisories from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European regulators urged caution over Venezuelan airspace. Airlines reduced or suspended services in response, and the current restoration trend reflects coordinated efforts by carriers and aviation authorities to re‑establish safe international connections.

What travelers should watch for

  • Monitor airline announcements and official schedules for confirmed routes and start dates
  • Check travel advisories from your government and aviation authorities before booking
  • Look for flexible fare options while schedules and frequencies are still being finalised
  • Verify visa and entry requirements for Venezuela and any European transit or destination countries

Broader impact on tourism and connectivity

Restoring transatlantic flights — whether operated by Laser or other carriers — can increase seat availability, improve route options and support tourism to Venezuelan destinations such as Margarita Island, Mérida and the Los Roques archipelago. For Europeans and other long‑haul travelers, added services may reduce reliance on indirect routings and spur renewed interest in travel to the Caribbean and northern South America.

Why this matters: Reinstating European services helps reconnect Venezuela with major hubs in Europe, offering more choices for leisure and business travel while signalling gradual normalization in international flight operations. For travelers, the practical outcome could be more direct options, improved competition on fares and greater scheduling flexibility — but bookings should be approached with care until carriers publish firm timetables.