USA05 January, 20262 min read
FAA Bars Flights Without Approval Over Caribbean After U.S. Operation In Venezuela
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
U.S. operation captured Maduro and flew him out, grounding Caribbean flights. Caribbean and southern U.S. air operations were suspended for at least 24 hours.
FAA Caribbean airspace shutdown
The FAA-imposed airspace restrictions across the Caribbean were triggered by the Venezuela crisis and Maduro's capture, forcing cross-border flights to halt. 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.' 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.
“No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela that day, according to FlightRadar24.”
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.
People paying the price
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.
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.
Carrier surge and support
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.
“American Airlines is adding 3,000 additional seats by adding flights and using larger planes in the Caribbean region.”
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.
Regional risk and governance
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.
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.
