colombianherald.com

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued this Friday, January 16, 2026, a series of safety advisories aimed at US airlines and air operators, warning about a “potentially dangerous situation” in several stretches of Pacific Ocean airspace, including areas under the Bogotá Flight Information Region (Bogotá FIR) and sectors of Central America.

According to the notices published under the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) format, the risks are related to military activities and possible interference in navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which could affect the safe operation of civil aircraft at any altitude. The FAA recommends operators “exercise caution when operating in areas over the water of the Pacific Ocean” and warns that risks can arise “at all altitudes” and during different phases of flight, including approach and takeoff.

The notification is valid for 60 days, from this Friday, January 16 to March 17, 2026, and covers key sectors of the Eastern Pacific and Central America, strategic for international air routes that connect North America, Central America and South America.

GNSS interference: the main risk

One of the main risks highlighted by the FAA is possible interference with satellite navigation systems, essential for modern aviation. According to the notice, these interferences “can affect the accuracy of routes, altitudes and approaches, especially in oceanic areas where navigation depends almost exclusively on satellite signals.”

Although the statement does not specify the origin of the military activities, it suggests scenarios in which aircraft could operate without prior notification, increasing the risk of interference or operational conflicts for civil aviation. The FAA clarifies that the risk is operational, not political, and that the objective is to prevent incidents through early warnings.

Impact in Colombia and preventive measures

The warning does not imply closure of Colombian airspace or restrictions on commercial flights, but rather a call for caution for operators traveling on routes over the eastern Pacific.

The Civil Aeronautics of Colombia reported that national airlines have already been notified about the NOTAM and that they are evaluating the technical information to adopt preventive measures if necessary. The authority clarified that there have been no visible effects or restrictions on flights, and that it will continue to monitor the situation to guarantee operational safety.

In the regional context, this alert coincides with an increase in the US military presence in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, within the framework of maritime security operations and drug trafficking control.

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