Qatar Airways has postponed the launch of its highly anticipated flights to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) and Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS), delaying the carrier’s expansion into two new South American destinations.
The Doha-based airline had planned to inaugurate the twice-weekly triangular service between Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Bogotá and Caracas on July 22, but the first flight has now been rescheduled for Sept. 2.
South American expansion pushed back
The new service remains a landmark addition to Qatar Airways‘ network. Once launched, the carrier will become the first Gulf airline to operate scheduled passenger flights to Venezuela and the first airline to offer direct connectivity between the Middle East and both Bogotá and Caracas.
The route will continue to operate twice weekly using the Boeing 777-200LR, following a triangular routing of Doha–Bogotá–Caracas–Doha. The schedule has been designed to connect passengers from Colombia and Venezuela with destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia via Qatar Airways’ hub in Doha.
While Qatar Airways has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the delay, the revised schedule indicates the airline remains committed to launching the service later this year rather than cancelling it altogether.
Strategic importance for the region
The Bogotá and Caracas flights represent one of Qatar Airways’ most ambitious network additions in recent years. The carrier first announced plans to serve the two cities in 2025 and later confirmed a July 2026 launch earlier this year.
The new route will strengthen Qatar Airways’ presence in Latin America, complementing its existing services to destinations including São Paulo (GRU) and Buenos Aires (EZE). It is also expected to provide an alternative one-stop option for travellers heading between northern South America and destinations across the airline’s extensive global network.
Despite the six-week postponement, the expansion remains a significant milestone in Qatar Airways’ long-term strategy to grow its footprint in the Americas.
Did you have plans to travel on Qatar Airways’ new Bogotá or Caracas route? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
