FAA Bars Flights Without Approval Over Caribbean After U.S. Operation In Venezuela

The FAA-imposed airspace restrictions across the Caribbean were triggered by the Venezuela crisis and Maduro's capture, forcing cross-border flights to halt.

“NEW YORK -- Flights are getting back on track after the U”

ABC7 Los Angeles

AP News reports that 'No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela that day, according to FlightRadar24,' and that 'Flights were canceled to and from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and more than a dozen other destinations in the Lesser Antilles island group north of Venezuela.'

ABC7 Los Angeles

Guadeloupe France Antilles notes that the Directorate General for Civil Aviation limited the no-fly zone to Venezuelan airspace for French aircraft and cites recommendations from EASA of 'high risk for civilian flights' if overflights occur.

Fox News reports that the FAA NOTAMs 'barring any flights without FAA approval' cover Venezuelan and Caribbean airspace and are set to last through late Saturday night.

By Sunday, carriers began restoring service in fits and starts, with American Airlines and others expanding capacity to clear backlogs.

A Michigan family stranded on St. Kitts described mounting costs and uncertain return plans, saying they faced about a $7,500 loss.

American Airlines informed the Chriss family it bore no responsibility for the delays, blaming the ongoing government action.

AP News

Airlines canceled over 1,000 flights nationwide on Saturday, leaving travelers stranded across the region.

The family and others sought assistance from lawmakers and airlines to arrange alternative routes home.

Travelers faced an uphill battle to catch a flight home during what was expected to be the final busy weekend of the holiday season.

American Airlines added 3,000 additional seats by adding flights and using larger planes in the Caribbean region.

Delta planned to add some 2,600 extra seats on flights across its Caribbean network for Monday.

Southwest Airlines added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on Sunday to help stranded travelers.

Air Caraïbes maintained all planned flights to the Antilles, while Air France canceled morning services and EASA warned of high risk for civilian flights if overflights resumed.

Airlines offered waivers and flexible rebooking options to affected passengers.

ColombiaOne reports a 24-hour suspension of air operations in the Caribbean and southern United States as the situation unfolds.

The FAA order immediately affected several major airports in the region.

Fox News

EASA warned of high risk for civilian flights if Venezuela is overflown.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the consequences of the conflict as exceedingly disruptive to both ports of entry.