Additional Coverage:
- Some international airlines cancel Venezuela flights after FAA warning over safety concerns (foxbusiness.com)
International Airlines Halt Flights to Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions
Several international airlines have suspended flights to and from Venezuela following a stern warning from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region. The FAA’s advisory, issued this past Saturday, cautioned airlines about increased military activity and a deteriorating security situation near Venezuela.
TAP Air Portugal confirmed the cancellation of its flights through Caracas for Saturday and Tuesday, citing the U.S. aviation authorities’ assessment that “safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed.” Spanish carrier Iberia Airlines announced an indefinite suspension of its flights to Venezuela, effective Monday, stating they would “assess the situation to decide when to resume flights to that country.”
South American airlines, including Brazil’s Gol and Colombia’s Avianca, also canceled their Caracas flights on Saturday. Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement acknowledging “potential risks” in continuing operations to the Maiquetia area of Venezuela, which is near Caracas. Caribbean Airlines and Chile’s Latam Airlines have similarly ceased flights to Venezuela in the wake of the FAA’s warning.
The FAA’s advisory specifically urged operators to “exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetia flight information region at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.” It further warned that “threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight and/or airports and aircraft on the ground.” Airlines were also asked to provide a minimum of 72 hours’ advance notice to the FAA for any planned flights through the affected area.
While direct flights from U.S. passenger and cargo carriers to Venezuela have been suspended since 2019, some airlines continued to fly over the country on their routes to other South American destinations. Delta and United Airlines have both confirmed this week that they ceased flying routes over Venezuelan airspace months ago. The FAA’s warning comes amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, marked by an increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region.