FAA Halts U.S.-Registered Flights Over Venezuela, Disrupting Caribbean Travel

Overview

• The FAA barred U.S.-registered commercial aircraft from Venezuelan airspace for at least 24 hours with the possibility of extension following reports of military activity.
• JetBlue canceled about 215 flights, while American Airlines canceled more than 160 and reported hundreds of delays as carriers reworked regional schedules.
• Puerto Rico’s tourism authority said the FAA closed the island’s airspace overnight and reported at least 361 cancellations, leaving travelers stranded at San Juan’s main airport.
• Flight-tracking data showed commercial traffic over Venezuela largely halted, and Europe’s aviation safety agency advised avoiding overflights as some Canadian carriers continued operations.
• President Trump said U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and that Nicolás Maduro was captured, a claim reported by outlets without independent confirmation in the articles.