Airlines axe Venezuela flights after Trump officials warn of ‘military activity’
Several U.S. and international airlines cancelled flights into Venezuela over the weekend after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday issued a 90-day flight advisory warning of elevated risks of flying civilian aircraft in the area.
A massive buildup of military forces around Venezuela has caused “worsening security” and “heightened military activity,” according to a Friday statement from the FAA. Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca and Brazil’s GOL have all suspended their flights to Venezuela, according to the Venezuelan Airlines Association — but it is unclear how long the suspension will last despite the FAA’s recommended Feb. 19, 2026 advisory deadline.
Turkish Airlines announced Sunday that its flights would be cancelled from Nov. 24-28. American Airlines and United Airlines confirmed to CBS they already stopped flying over Venezuela.
“Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground,” the FAA’s Friday announcement said.
The FAA’s statement pointed to recent increases in interference with satellite navigation systems as well as a buildup of Venezuela’s armed forces. Venezuela’s LASER, Panama’s Copa Airlines, Spain’s Air Europa and PlusUltra are still issuing flights, and must notify the FAA 72 hours in advance with a detailed flight plan before entering Venezuelan airspace.
The U.S. military has conducted 21 known strikes on fishing boats allegedly smuggling drugs, killing more than 80 people, although it remains unknown if the targeted boats posed a threat to the U.S. In Washington D.C., lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns with the administration’s lack of briefings over the national security matter.
The Trump administration designated Cartel de los Soles, allegedly run by Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on Nov. 16. This new label will take effect on Monday, allowing the administration “a whole bunch of new options” on how to combat the alleged narco-terrorists in the Caribbean, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. The U.S. is one of several nations that recognizes Maduro as an illegitimate leader of Venezuela.
The U.S. currently has 15,000 troops in the region in addition to the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. There are also multiple U.S. fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico, roughly 500 miles from Venezuela.
When asked for comment, the FAA referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to its Friday statement.
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