FAA Bars U.S.-Registered Flights From Venezuelan Airspace, Forcing Caribbean Cancellations

Overview

• The FAA imposed a minimum 24-hour prohibition on U.S.-registered commercial operations over Venezuela, citing hazardous ongoing military activity.
• United canceled South America flights that route near Venezuela, JetBlue scrubbed about 215 flights, and American recorded more than 160 cancellations and roughly 500 delays, according to FlightAware.
• Puerto Rico’s tourism authority reported at least 361 cancellations and crowded terminals at San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport during the holiday rush.
• The European Union Aviation Safety Agency urged airlines to avoid Venezuelan overflights, and Canada’s WestJet canceled its Toronto–Aruba flight on Saturday as a precaution.
• Logistics were disrupted as U.S. Virgin Islands officials said USPS Priority and Priority Express would not move Saturday, while some routes not reliant on Venezuelan airspace, including certain Brazil services, continued operating.