Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport is the main airport serving the Caracas metropolitan area and the state of La Guaira. The port is considered the most important airport in Venezuela in terms of air and passenger traffic. Since its establishment in 1971, it has been managed by the International Maiquetía Airport Institute (IAIM) and the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC).
The airport is located in the Maiquetía sector in the municipality of Vargas, La Guaira Province, on the outskirts of Caracas. Currently, the cargo and international terminals are being remodeled and expanded. Its facilities (terminals and administrative buildings) cover an area of 882 hectares and are located about 40 minutes from Caracas, taking Plaza Venezuela as a reference point.
During the 70s, 80s and 90s, the airport was the main gateway to South America and an important hub connecting Europe to the rest of Latin America. Since 2000, with the gradual decrease of air traffic at Maiquetia Airport, El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá) and Tocumen International Airport (Panama City) have become the most important hubs for northern South America and the Caribbean.
Until the mid-1990s, the airport was one of the few airports in the world to receive supersonic Concorde aircraft, which were operated by the two airlines that had them in their fleets. It was also the hub of the well-known Venezuelan airline Viasa, which connected Caracas to more than 45 international destinations. The airport is also the port with the highest private jet activity in the country.
Venezuela private jet charter prices
Although Maiquetía Simón Bolívar Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Caracas are as follows.
| Heavy Jet | 120.650 EUR |
| Long Range Jet | 157.300 EUR |
| VIP Airliner | 290.350 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Maiquetía Simón Bolívar Airport extended history
Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport was inaugurated on January 1, 1945 by President Isaías Medina Angarita. Work began during the government of General Eleazar López Contreras, on 20 hectares of leased land in the Mare area of a coastal farm, which until then had been used as a runway. This land had been recommended by the aviator Charles Lindbergh during his visit to Venezuela in 1928 at the request of the American airline Pan Am.
Initially, the airport was nothing more than a flattened piece of land for airplanes to land on and was known as “Campo de Aviación de La Guaira” (La Guaira Airport). On August 22, 1942, the Venezuelan government authorized Pan Am to finance and manage the construction of airports in Maiquetia, Maracaibo (Grano de Oro) and Maturin. The US government subsidized the construction as part of the ADP (Airport Development Program) project, aimed at securing bases in the Caribbean Sea in the context of the Second World War and eliminating European competition in the Latin American aviation sector. This plan, called Pan American Airports Corporation, covered airports in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The airport facilities were managed by Pan American until August 1, 1946, when they became the property of the Venezuelan State.
Between 1952 and 1962, two more wings were added to the passenger terminal and the size of the runway was increased to 2,000 meters. Lighting circuits were also installed on the runways and approach areas to initiate night operations. In 1956 an auxiliary runway was built and in 1962 it was extended to 3,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width.
In 1969, the Ministry of Public Works began modernizing the airport to meet the demand in air traffic. The Instituto Autónomo Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía (IAAIM) was created by Special Law on 4 August 1971 to manage the modernized airport. Between 1974 and 1977 the international terminal was built and in 1978 the domestic terminal was inaugurated.
In 2000, the government launched the Maiquetía 2000 project. This project, organized in phases, included the remodeling of the international terminal, the expansion and modernization of parking areas, the construction of a hotel, the modernization and updating of the airport’s systems, radars and technological equipment for air operations and security.
In 2007, the Maiquetía 2000 Project was completed with the expansion and updating of the international terminal, with completely separate arrival and departure areas, new immigration and customs areas, and a connecting corridor between the domestic and international terminals. In addition, operational and aviation security systems were modernized, while the hotel was not completed and remained operational until the end of 2022.
Since 2014, more than 11 international airlines have ceased operations in Venezuela due to the political instability and difficult economic situation facing the country, and others have decided to significantly reduce the number of weekly frequencies to Caracas. Some airlines have even decided not to use Venezuelan airspace as much as possible, claiming that the necessary security is not ensured when passing through this region. Venezuela’s flag carrier Conviasa has been forced to suspend many of its international routes due to the serious economic problems Venezuela is facing and the devaluation of the Bolivar. On May 15, 2019, the United States FAA banned all air operations between the United States and Venezuela, strongly affecting commercial relations between the two countries and forcing the closure of six daily flights between Caracas and Miami and the search for alternatives to meet passenger demand moving between these cities through connections.
On February 8, 2020, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Conviasa, further worsening the airline’s economic situation and forcing it to close certain markets and seek new ones that would not be affected by the sanctions.
List of places to visit in Caracas
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is known as one of the largest and most vibrant cities in South America. The city is known for its towering mountains and modern buildings and has many attractions for tourists. Here are some of the places to visit in Caracas:
The War Memorial, a commemorative monument built by Venezuela during the First World War, is one of the most important symbols of the city. Located in the city center, this monument symbolizes the independence and freedom of the country. You can do many touristic activities around the monument, take a walk, taste local food.
The Simon Bolivar Monument is dedicated to the South American liberator Simon Bolivar and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. The monument is located in the city center and covers a large area with large green spaces. There are also museums that tell the story of Bolivar’s life. Visitors can take a historical and cultural journey here.
Another place to visit in Caracas is the Altamira Art Museum. This museum exhibits examples of contemporary art and the works of artists who have shaped world art. The museum is located in the center of the city and houses a large collection of art. Visitors can find many interesting artworks and exhibitions in the museum.
Finally, another place to visit in Caracas is Bolivar Park. This park is located right in the center of the city and is famous for its large green spaces. There is also a statue of Bolivar in the park. Visitors can take a walk here, have a picnic, sunbathe and relax. There are also many restaurants and cafes in the park.
Maiquetia Simon Bolivar airport information
You can get from Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport to the city center by taxi, bus, metro and car rental.
You can prefer taxi services when traveling from Simon Bolívar Airport to the city center. Safe and comfortable taxi options waiting in front of the terminal building can make your trip more enjoyable. Taxi services at the airport serve passengers every day and can help you reach the city center comfortably.
Public transportation vehicles depart from Simon Bolivar Airport to the city center from in front of the terminal building. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the city center with the buses that run 24/7.
If you are looking for a fast option to get from the airport to the city center, you can use the underground subway network. Underground subways run frequently and regularly, making it easy to reach the city center. The metro line stands out as an ideal option for getting from the airport to the city center. It is possible to reach the city center within 35 minutes on average thanks to the underground metro network that operates between 6:00 am and 23:00 pm.
It is also possible to rent a private car from the offices of different car rental companies within the port.
