Donald Trump has announced that he would lift restrictions on commercial flights over Venezuela, ending a ban that has prevented direct air links between the two countries since 2019, AP reported.

Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on January 29, the US president said he had directed Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and military officials to complete the airspace reopening by day's end. Trump said he had discussed the decision with Delcy Rodríguez, whom he described as Venezuela's acting president.

The president assured Americans they would soon be able to travel safely to Venezuela, citing what he called the country's "very strict controls and very good security".

The announcement comes despite recent security concerns in Venezuela. Earlier this month, the State Department issued an urgent alert ordering Americans to "leave the country immediately" as armed militias loyal to ousted president Nicolas Maduro established roadblocks across Caracas to hunt for US citizens and their alleged sympathisers. The groups, known as "colectivos," set up checkpoints where paramilitaries examined vehicles and electronic devices for evidence linking occupants to the United States.

American Airlines responded by becoming the first US carrier to signal its intention to restore services. The Fort Worth-based airline said in a statement it was working with federal authorities on security reviews and regulatory clearances needed to restart operations, with further details expected in the coming months.

Nat Pieper, American's chief commercial officer, said the airline was "ready to renew that incredible relationship" with Venezuela, where it operated for more than three decades before halting flights in 2019. "By restarting service to Venezuela, American will offer customers the opportunity to reunite with families and create new business and commerce with the United States," he said.

American had been the final US carrier serving Venezuela, operating routes linking Miami with both Caracas and the oil city of Maracaibo before the 2019 suspension.

US authorities ordered the indefinite halt to all commercial operations in May 2019 at the request of the Department of Homeland Security, which cited security threats stemming from Venezuela's deteriorating political and economic situation.

The announcement follows the dramatic January 3 US military intervention that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and their transport to New York to face narcoterrorism charges, which they deny. The Trump administration told Congress earlier this week it was considering a phased approach to potentially resuming operations at the US embassy in Caracas, which has been closed since 2019.

Trump also claimed major US oil companies were preparing to begin operations in Venezuela, predicting the ventures would generate "enormous wealth" for both nations.

The policy shift represents a dramatic change from November, when Trump declared Venezuelan airspace should be considered entirely closed due to US military operations in the region as he escalated pressure on Maduro's government and ordered strikes on alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean.

Miami had been a popular weekend destination for Venezuelan travellers before the country plunged into a deep economic, social and political crisis in the middle of the last decade.