According to a statement from IAIM, located in the state of La Guaira, which was the hardest hit by the earthquakes, operations at Mayquetia International Airport will officially begin on September 1st using temporary terminals designated for both domestic and international flights.
After severe damage from the earthquake, the airport accepted humanitarian flights, but commercial traffic has been halted since the disaster. The main runway sustained particular damage.
Air traffic was redirected to smaller airports in Valencia, Maracaibo, and Barquisimeto, located west of Caracas, as well as to Barcelona Airport to the east. These alternative airports are not equipped to handle the volume of traffic caused by the closure of Mayquetia.
The double earthquake that occurred on August 24th caused serious damage to infrastructure, resulting in injuries and fatalities in seven Venezuelan states: Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Lara, Yaracuy, and La Guaira, the latter being the most affected.
According to the latest data published by the authorities, 6,509 people died after the earthquakes, and 226,696 people received medical assistance in hospitals. Among the deceased were at least 138 Portuguese nationals and their descendants.
Furthermore, at least 190 buildings collapsed, and authorities inspected 60,785 residential units. Of these, 11,001 were deemed to be at 'high risk,' and about 25,240 homes were found uninhabitable; 600,790 tons of debris have already been removed.