WILLEMSTAD – The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially designated the entire Venezuelan airspace as a high-risk area for civil aviation, citing deteriorating security conditions and a marked increase in military activity.
In a reissued safety advisory, NOTAM A0015/25, the FAA states that conditions within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR), which covers all Venezuelan airspace, have worsened significantly. The advisory is in effect from December 16, 2025, through February 19, 2026.
According to the FAA, the identified threats apply at all altitudes, from ground level to unlimited height, and are not limited to overflying aircraft. The authority warns that civil aircraft face risks during arrival and departure phases, at airports, and even while aircraft are on the ground. The NOTAM explicitly notes that increased military activity in and around Venezuela poses a potential threat to civilian aviation operations.
U.S. commercial airlines and other operators are urged to exercise “extreme caution” when conducting flights in the affected area. In addition, any planned operations must be reported to the FAA at least 72 hours in advance, including detailed flight information.
The FAA further instructs that any safety or security incidents observed or experienced during operations in Venezuelan airspace must be reported immediately to the FAA’s Washington Operations Center.
Increased Military Activity in the Region
The reissuance of the NOTAM coincides with a visible increase in U.S. military flight activity over the southern Caribbean Sea and along the Venezuelan coast. In recent days, multiple U.S. military aircraft have been observed on public flight-tracking platforms, including maritime patrol aircraft, electronic warfare planes, and U.S. Navy fighter jets.
These aircraft have been flying extended patrol patterns over international waters, in some cases near the airspace of the ABC islands. While military flights themselves are not directly covered by the NOTAM, the FAA notes that they form part of the broader context of heightened tensions and elevated security risks in the region.
U.S. authorities stressed that the advisory is strictly related to civil aviation safety and is intended to ensure that airlines and operators are fully informed of potential risks when operating near or within Venezuelan airspace.