WASHINGTON — The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has eased its restrictions on air travel in parts of the Caribbean and Venezuelan airspace, shifting from a full closure to an advisory urging caution due to ongoing military activity in the region.
On Sunday, January 4, the FAA replaced its earlier hard stop with a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) advising airlines and pilots to remain alert to safety-of-flight risks. The original restriction, issued on January 3, effectively closed significant portions of Caribbean airspace for nearly 24 hours following U.S. military operations that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
At the time, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measure was taken to ensure passenger safety. According to the FAA, the decision was linked to increased military activity and concerns about potential conflicts between military and civilian aircraft.
While the updated NOTAM does not legally prohibit flights, it continues to influence airline operations and traveler behavior. Airlines are expected to plan routes carefully, adjust schedules where necessary, and remain prepared for sudden changes as long as the advisory remains in effect.
The temporary airspace closure over the weekend caused widespread disruption across the region. Airports throughout the Caribbean — including Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Thomas — experienced large-scale cancellations. Approximately 60 percent of flights scheduled to arrive in the region on Saturday, January 3, were cancelled.
Major hubs were particularly affected. At San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, nearly 58 percent of scheduled flights were cancelled over the weekend. Miami International Airport also reported disruptions, while American Airlines confirmed that services to 19 destinations were impacted by the airspace restrictions.
According to earlier reports submitted to the U.S. Congress, the FAA had already been monitoring safety concerns in the weeks leading up to the closure. Increased U.S. military flight activity in and near Venezuelan airspace reportedly resulted in several near-miss incidents involving civilian aircraft, including commercial airliners and private planes operating between the United States and the Dutch Caribbean, notably Curaçao and Aruba.
The 24-hour shutdown led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and left tens of thousands of passengers stranded during the busy post-holiday travel period. Although airspace reopened on Sunday, the FAA replaced the closure with an advisory that remains in effect until at least early February.
Airlines serving the Caribbean have since adjusted their operations, introducing more flexible schedules and, in some cases, rerouting flights to avoid areas considered higher risk. Aviation experts warn that smaller airports and islands heavily dependent on U.S. tourist traffic may face a longer recovery period.
The ongoing advisory highlights the vulnerability of Caribbean aviation to geopolitical developments. Tourism stakeholders across the region are bracing for potential declines in demand as long as uncertainty around air travel safety persists. Airlines and passengers alike are expected to remain cautious until the FAA lifts the advisory entirely.