The first direct commercial flight between the U.S. and Venezuela in nearly seven years departed Miami International Airport on Thursday, restoring nonstop service suspended since 2019.

American Airlines Flight AA3599, operated by subsidiary Envoy Air, left Miami Thursday morning bound for Caracas. The departure marks the resumption of daily nonstop flights between the two countries.

The U.S. Department of State highlighted the flight, sharing video of the aircraft receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute as it taxied for takeoff. “For nearly seven years there have been no direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela. Under President Trump we’re changing that today,” the department posted.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the resumption “history being made,” describing it as a major milestone for travel and economic ties between the nations.

The route’s return holds special importance for South Florida, home to one of the largest Venezuelan-American communities in the United States. Families that have relied on connecting flights through third countries for years will now have a much shorter and more direct option for travel.

American Airlines is expected to ramp up service on the Miami-Caracas route in the coming weeks in response to growing demand.

The flights were suspended in 2019 over safety and security concerns. The restart follows approvals from the U.S. Transportation Department earlier this year after the Trump administration moved to reopen aviation links with Venezuela.