CARACAS - Venezuela has revoked the operating permits of six major international airlines after they suspended flights to the country following a safety warning issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The suspension marks a further decline in the country’s air connectivity and follows threats made earlier this week by the Venezuelan government.
The airlines affected are Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Gol. In a statement, Venezuela’s civil aviation authority accused the carriers of “joining actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States” by unilaterally halting commercial flights.
U.S. Warns of ‘Hazardous Situation’ in Venezuelan Airspace
Last week, the FAA warned U.S. and foreign airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela, citing a worsening security climate and heightened military activity in or near Venezuelan airspace.
Caracas rejected the warning, insisting that the U.S. regulator has no jurisdiction over Venezuelan airspace.
The escalation comes amid increasing geopolitical tension between Washington and Caracas. The United States has been deploying military assets to the Caribbean in recent months, claiming Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is enabling large-scale drug trafficking—an accusation Maduro denies, arguing that U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to remove him from power.
Airlines Defy Caracas Deadline
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Venezuelan authorities had given international carriers a 48-hour deadline to resume flights or risk losing their operating rights. Several airlines chose not to comply.
Iberia stated it intends to resume flights only when it can guarantee full safety for passengers and crew. Air Europa and Plus Ultra also suspended operations but did not have their permits revoked.
Meanwhile, airlines Copa and Wingo continue to operate flights to Venezuela, along with several domestic carriers serving routes to Colombia, Panama and Curaçao.
Impact on Regional Connectivity
The revocations further isolate Venezuela, complicating travel for passengers across the Caribbean and Latin America. The move also raises concerns among regional governments and travel industry stakeholders as political and military tensions continue to intensify.