Several international airlines announced the temporary suspension of their flights to Venezuela after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning due to increasing risks in the airspace of Maiquetía, associated with the deterioration of security and the increase in military activity in the area.
Iberia announced the immediate cancellation of all its commercial flights to Venezuela, a decision that includes the itinerary that was to operate next Monday. The company, with five weekly frequencies on the route, indicated that the reopening will depend on constant monitoring of the security situation in the region.
LATAM also suspended its flight scheduled for this Sunday, following guidelines from the Civil Aeronautics of Colombia (Aerocivil) after the international alert. The airline made several protection options available to passengers: change of date without penalties for one year, full refund or modification of the route to Cúcuta without additional costs.
TAP Air Portugal was added to this list, which canceled two scheduled services – one for this Saturday and another for Tuesday – after reviewing the US warning.
Avianca adjusts itineraries and other airlines continue operating
Avianca suspended two flights scheduled for this Saturday citing operational adjustments, although it did not rule out future modifications if conditions require it.
Meanwhile, companies such as Copa Airlines, Wingo, Turkish Airlines, Rutaca and Laser maintain their operations unchanged for now, according to the flight boards of the Maiquetía International Airport. However, several of them claimed to be closely reviewing the panorama to make decisions in case of new developments.
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What exactly does the FAA warning say?
The US advisory notes that deteriorating security and the recent intensification of military activity in Venezuela and nearby areas could pose risks to aircraft in different phases of flight, including approaches, takeoffs and flyovers.
The recommendation — which will be in effect until February 19 — does not prohibit flights over Venezuelan territory, but it does require companies that decide to maintain operations to notify their plans 72 hours in advance and provide specific details of each flight.
Military movements in the region raise tension
The warning coincides with the arrival in the southern Caribbean of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, part of the extensive military deployment that Washington maintains in the region and which, according to the US, aims to combat drug trafficking. The Pentagon claims that Nicolás Maduro’s government is linked to these illicit activities, which Caracas has repeatedly denied.
Within the framework of these operations, US authorities reported the destruction of several vessels allegedly used to transport drugs, in actions that left more than 80 people dead.
Colombia activates protocols and requires reports from airlines
After receiving the alert, Aerocivil asked all airlines that cross or approach Maiquetía airspace for a detailed analysis of how the warning would affect their itineraries. The report must explain the need for detours, the impact on current routes and the measures taken to enhance operational safety.
The authority reminded airlines that any adjustment must comply with the minimum 72-hour notice required by the FAA to plan a flight to that region.
Authorities and companies in the airline sector agree that the situation could evolve in the coming days. For now, the affected airlines maintain active service channels to manage changes and refunds, while others continue to operate awaiting further definitions.