Airlines Halt Venezuela Flights After FAA Issues Security Warning

Flights to and from Caracas, Venezuela, are being disrupted as several international airlines suspend operations after the FAA issued a security alert for Venezuelan airspace.

The advisory, issued Nov. 21, warns of “a potentially hazardous situation” in the Maiquetia region and urges airlines “to exercise caution ... at all altitudes,” including during overflight, arrivals and departures, and even while aircraft are on the ground.

The Notam comes amid rising instability, including increased interference with aircraft GPS systems and heightening Venezuelan military activity. Some aircraft transiting the region have reported lingering navigation issues due to GNSS jamming and spoofing.

Over the Nov. 22-23 weekend, GOL canceled its Sao Paulo flights and Avianca halted its Bogota service, with Iberia and LATAM Airlines Group also pausing Caracas rotations. Turkish Airlines has suspended its Istanbul-Caracas services—including both nonstop and Havana-tag flights—and TAP Air Portugal has likewise paused its nonstop Lisbon flights.

U.S. carriers have been barred from serving Venezuela since 2019 under a U.S. Transportation Department order that suspended all U.S.-Venezuela air service after the U.S. Homeland Security Department determined that “conditions in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft and crew.” However, some U.S. airlines fly over the country en route to other points in South America.

Despite the cancellations from international carriers, Flightradar24 data shows that Venezuelan carriers like Conviasa and Laser Airlines continue to operate flights as scheduled.

According to OAG Schedules Analyser figures, Caracas’ Simon Bolivar International Airport accounts for 92% of Venezuela’s international capacity, with international airlines responsible for about 43% of this.

“The FAA will continue to monitor the risk environment for U.S. civil aviation operating in the region and make adjustments, as appropriate, to safeguard U.S. civil aviation,” a statement from the FAA said.