Hundreds of flights across the Caribbean were cancelled on Saturday after the Federal Aviation Administration halted US airlines from operating in parts of the region due to what officials described as safety concerns linked to ongoing military activity in Venezuela.
Major carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue complied with a Notice to Airmen that referenced “ongoing military activity.” The FAA action followed reports tied to a US military operation in Venezuela, which some reports claimed involved the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. US authorities have not publicly detailed the operation.
Puerto Rico airports see widespread cancellations
The disruption was most visible in Puerto Rico, where Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport recorded more than 300 cancellations by midday, according to FlightAware data cited by local officials.
Norberto Negrón Díaz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, confirmed that flight suspensions affected multiple airports, including San Juan, Ceiba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques, and Culebra, through at least 1 a.m. Sunday, with the possibility of extensions.
Aerostar Airport Holdings said the pause was linked to “a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela.”
Airlines issue waivers as travelers scramble
JetBlue said it would waive change and cancellation fees, along with fare differences, for customers scheduled to travel Saturday, January 3, through Sunday, January 4, 2026. Delta and American Airlines issued similar waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without penalty.
Spirit Airlines urged customers to monitor its app for updates as disruptions continued and baggage accumulated at affected airports.
Foreign carriers were largely unaffected. Air Canada said its flights were operating normally under guidance from Transport Canada, while closely monitoring developments.
Commercial flights avoid Venezuelan airspace
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed commercial aircraft avoiding Venezuelan airspace entirely following the reported military action. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on X that airspace restrictions are imposed “when appropriate,” without elaborating further.
While non-US operators continued flying, the FAA directive effectively grounded US commercial traffic across key Caribbean routes.
Ripple effects across the region
Caribbean Airlines passengers faced widespread delays and rerouting, particularly through San Juan, the region’s busiest hub. Travelers reported disruptions to holiday plans from Aruba to Antigua, while travel agencies and vacation providers advised customers to check directly with airlines.
The FAA has not issued further public guidance beyond the initial notice. Officials in Puerto Rico said they are preparing for the possibility that the restrictions could be extended depending on developments tied to the Venezuela situation.
