La Guaira.- The Government of Venezuela is working on the installation of temporary terminals at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the South American country’s main airport, with a view to the reactivation of domestic and international commercial flights, after it suffered damage from the double earthquake on June 24.
In the airport parking lot, located in La Guaira state, the one most affected by the earthquakes, workers are making progress on the placement of large metal tents that will allow for the assistance of travelers, the EFE team confirmed.
Likewise, recovery work continues on the facilities, which are guarded by officials of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).
In addition, there is another group of workers working on the restoration of the Gran Cacique Guaicaipuro Hotel, located on the outskirts of the airport, which suffered damage to part of its facade.
“Coming soon” commercial flights will be enabled
The Maiquetía International Airport Institute (IAIM) reported through Instagram that the temporary terminals feature German technology and Venezuelan labor that will “soon” allow for the enabling of domestic and international flights.
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Likewise, he said that these structures are based on international standards and success stories such as those managed in Chile after the 2010 earthquake and in Japan, following the 2011 tsunami.
“Maiquetía is the gateway to our country. We work hard to operate and reconnect Venezuela with the world,” he added.
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On Wednesday, the airport resumed its international cargo operations with the arrival of a flight from Panama, after remaining completely inoperative since last June 24, following the double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5.
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An international alliance
Through X, the Ministry of Transport indicated that this restart of operations is part of the progressive restoration of the air terminal.
Following the disaster, several airlines have moved their operations to the Venezuelan city of Valencia, capital of the state of Carabobo (north), 172 kilometers away from Caracas by vehicle, as well as to Barcelona, capital of Anzoátegui (northeast), 316 kilometers away.
On July 6, the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that the country expects to resume some commercial flights soon on a parallel runway at Simón Bolívar airport, without specifying when such a resumption might take place.
Two days earlier, Rodríguez also announced an international alliance for the recovery of the terminal, despite not detailing which actors are involved.
The double earthquake left at least 6,125 dead, 856 buildings affected and 190 collapsed, according to official data.
