United Delays Houston–Caracas Return to January 2027: Report

CHICAGO — United Airlines (UA) has moved its planned return to Caracas into January 2027, closing bookings for the route from October 6 through January 11, AeroRoutes reported Wednesday.

The earliest Houston departure now available for reservation is January 12. The revision is the second postponement of United's planned daily nonstop service between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS). The airline first targeted August 11, then shifted the launch to October 6.

The revised schedule retains daily service with a Boeing 737-8. Flight UA1046 is listed to leave Houston at 11:55 p.m. and arrive in Caracas at 6:30 a.m. the following day. UA1045 is scheduled to depart Caracas at 9 a.m. and return to Houston at 12:35 p.m.

The schedule report did not identify a reason for the latest change and cautioned that further revisions remain possible. A filing establishes United's current plan; it does not show whether airport capacity, government approvals, operational requirements, or another factor led to the postponement.

Two Launch Dates Have Already Passed

United announced the Houston–Caracas route on May 12, presenting it as the carrier's return to Venezuela after suspending service in June 2017. The original plan called for daily flights with a Boeing 737-8, marketed as the 737 MAX 8.

Flight UA1046 was scheduled to leave Houston at 11:45 p.m. and reach Caracas at 5:30 a.m. the following day. UA1045 would depart Caracas at 8 a.m. and arrive in Houston at 12:30 p.m. United said tickets were on sale, although the service remained subject to government approval.

The August inauguration did not take place. A July schedule filing moved the planned start to October 6, retaining daily Boeing 737-8 service. The latest revision closes another three months of bookings and extends United's absence from the Venezuelan market.

Airways reported United's original August plan when the route was announced in May.

Caracas Airport Remains in Recovery

The schedule changes follow extensive earthquake damage at the airport, but United has not attributed the latest postponement to that work. Two earthquakes on June 24 damaged both the terminal and runway infrastructure and interrupted commercial operations at Venezuela's principal international gateway.

CCS began restoring cargo operations on August 5 as the first phase of a gradual reopening. Several airlines temporarily shifted flights to other Venezuelan airports while repairs continued.

The airport authority subsequently outlined a restricted passenger restart using temporary processing areas. The plan called for commercial operations to resume progressively on August 24, initially handling up to eight flights and approximately 400 passengers per day. The transport ministry said it aimed to restore about 85% of capacity and complete the broader rehabilitation in December.

The December rehabilitation target precedes United's January reservation date, but it does not establish why the airline selected that month. Airport work, regulatory clearance, and an airline's decision to place a flight on sale are separate steps.

What Travelers Should Watch

United's route would add a Houston alternative to the Miami service that American Airlines restored in April. Houston would also provide connections across United's domestic network rather than relying solely on the South Florida gateway.

The January schedule should not be treated as final until United operates the route. AeroRoutes explicitly warned that another revision remains possible.

Travelers previously booked for the August or October launch periods should check their United reservation and contact the airline about rebooking or refund options rather than relying on the earlier published timetable.