Venezuela signs deal with ITA Airways to reconnect Caracas and Rome

Representatives of the Venezuelan government and Italian airline ITA Airways signed a memorandum of understanding to restore direct flights between Caracas and the Italian capital, according to a report Tuesday from the portal La iguana TV.

The document provides for the formal resumption of operations on March 30 next year, with an initial offer of three weekly frequencies that will guarantee more than 90,000 seats a year. The air link responds to demand from the Italian-Venezuelan community and seeks to boost tourism, commercial and cultural exchange between the two countries.

During the signing ceremony, held in Rome, Vice Minister for Europe and First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Oliver Blanco highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership. The official said the restoration of connectivity will favor trade and tourism within the official diplomatic agenda, according to the outlet.

For its part, ITA Airways CEO and General Manager Jörg Eberhart expressed enthusiasm about the airline's return to Venezuelan territory, while Venezuela's ambassador to Italy, María Elena Uzzo, stressed that reactivating this route strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and friendship between the two nations.