Several international airlines have suspended flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions in the country’s airspace.
Three major international carriers — Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal — cancelled flights departing from Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday following a U.S. advisory describing the region as a “potentially hazardous” area for aviation.
The cancellations came less than 24 hours after the FAA issued a notice cautioning pilots and airlines against flying through Venezuelan airspace due to “worsening security conditions and increased military activity in or around Venezuela.”
According to flight data from Flightradar24 and information published by Simón Bolívar Maiquetía International Airport, the airlines suspended multiple departures scheduled for the weekend.
Regional concern grows
Colombia’s civil aviation authority, Aeronautica Civil, said in a statement that there were “potential risks” for flights operating near Maiquetía, citing concerns over the deteriorating security environment and military presence in the region.
Portugal’s flag carrier TAP Air Portugal confirmed that it had cancelled flights scheduled for Saturday and the following Tuesday.
“This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed,” the airline told Reuters.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Iberia announced it would suspend flights to and from Caracas starting Monday until further notice, though its scheduled Saturday flight to Madrid departed as planned.
“The company will assess the situation to decide when to resume flights to that country,” an Iberia spokesperson said.
Despite the suspensions, Copa Airlines and Wingo continued their regular operations from Maiquetía Airport on Saturday.
U.S. warning amid regional tensions
The FAA’s notice comes amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the wider region, including the deployment of the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, several warships, and F-35 fighter jets.
The U.S. government has not elaborated on the specific nature of the threat, but aviation analysts say the advisory signals growing concern over regional instability and possible risks to civil aviation safety.
While no incidents have been reported, the warning and subsequent cancellations highlight rising uncertainty for airlines operating in Venezuelan airspace — a route already constrained by limited international connectivity due to years of political and economic turmoil.
For now, authorities in Caracas have not issued an official response, and airlines say they will continue monitoring the situation before deciding when to resume normal service.
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