IATA is urging the Venezuelan government to reverse its decision to revoke operating permits for several international carriers that suspended flights to Caracas following new airspace safety alerts issued by the U.S. and Spanish governments.
Multiple foreign airlines halted service after the FAA warned of “a potentially hazardous situation” in the Maiquetia region on Nov. 21. The advisory cited increased Venezuelan military activity, reports of GNSS jamming and spoofing, and broader instability affecting aircraft both in flight and on the ground.
Subsequently, Venezuela withdrew permits for Avianca, GOL Linhas Aereas, Iberia, LATAM Airlines Colombia, TAP Air Portugal and Turkish Airlines.
In its statement, IATA highlights that airlines have acted out of necessity. “Airlines have prioritized the protection of passengers and crew members, avoiding flights in high-risk areas,” the association says, adding that carriers “reaffirm their commitment to the market and their willingness to restore service safely and efficiently as soon as conditions allow.”
IATA warned that the decision to suspend operating permits could isolate the Venezuelan market and complicate efforts to resume service. “IATA and its members reiterate their willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities to seek solutions that ensure air safety and preserve Venezuela's connectivity with the rest of the world,” the organization adds.
“We also urge the government authorities to provide timely clarification on the recommendations and conditions that have been communicated and which have resulted in the temporary suspension of services to and from Venezuela.”
Caracas’ Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) handles 92% of Venezuela’s international capacity, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. Foreign carriers account for roughly 43% of that traffic. Avianca serves CCS from Bogota; GOL from Sao Paulo Guarulhos; Iberia from Madrid; TAP Air Portugal from Lisbon; and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul and Havana.
U.S. airlines have been barred from serving Venezuela since 2019, but some still overfly the region en route to South America. The FAA says it will “continue to monitor the risk environment … and make adjustments, as appropriate, to safeguard U.S. civil aviation.”
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