The move is a welcome relief to those in Venezuela who can afford to fly, after Copa, one of the last major airlines still operating in the OPEC nation, was forced by authorities to suspend services last week.

The majority of international airlines have pulled out of the crisis-hit country over the last few years, citing economic and security concerns.

An Aruba Airlines plane took off from Valencia’s Arturo Michelena International Airport, some 150 kilometres (93 miles) from Caracas, on Monday morning on its way to the Aruban capital of Oranjestad.

Transport Minister Carlos Osorio announced the reopening of links from the runway.

Panama’s Copa, a major regional carrier, was included in a list of companies with which the Venezuelan government broke economic relations last week.

Venezuelan authorities cited alleged money laundering by Panamanian officials and companies, prompting both countries to recall their ambassadors.