Six International Airlines Halt Flights to Venezuelan Airspace Following FAA Security Alert

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, a total of six major international carriers made the decision to suspend their flight operations into Venezuela's airspace. This collective action followed a critical Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA alert specifically cited a 'potentially hazardous situation' stemming from 'heightened military activity' and a general deterioration of the regional security environment.

The FAA's advisory, which was officially released on Friday, November 21, 2025, established an operational validity period extending through February 19, 2026. This restriction covers the entire operational area of the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), encompassing Venezuelan territory and adjacent Caribbean Sea waters. Among the airlines that immediately ceased their services were Iberia from Spain, TAP of Portugal, LATAM based in Chile, Avianca from Colombia, GOL of Brazil, and Caribbean Airlines representing Trinidad and Tobago. Confirmation of these flight suspensions was provided by Marisela de Loaiza, the President of the Venezuelan Airline Association (ALAV). Iberia, for instance, publicly stated its temporary grounding of flights to Caracas until further notice.

As of November 23, 2025, a different risk assessment was evident among other key aviation players. Carriers such as Copa Airlines, Air Europa, PlusUltra, Turkish Airlines, and LASER continued to maintain their scheduled services into the country. The FAA warning itself was comprehensive, noting that unspecified threats could endanger aircraft at all altitudes. This included risks during the en route phase, as well as during takeoff, landing, and even while aircraft were stationary on the ground at Venezuelan airports.

This significant aviation warning coincided with a noticeable escalation of United States military presence in the Caribbean basin. This buildup included the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group spearheaded by the USS Gerald R. Ford, alongside the involvement of F-35 fighter jets. Washington officially frames this military posture as part of an anti-narcotics campaign. Since September 2025, this operation has reportedly resulted in the sinking of over 20 speedboats, leading to the confirmed deaths of more than 80 individuals. Parallel to these aviation measures, political tensions are ratcheting up; the Trump administration intends to formally designate the 'Cartel de los Soles'—which the U.S. alleges is led by President Nicolás Maduro—as a terrorist organization, effective November 24, 2025. President Maduro views this move as a pretext for military pressure aimed at his removal.

The domestic political climate is equally fraught. Venezuela's Attorney General has indicated that opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 for her democratic advocacy, will be declared a 'fugitive' if she leaves the country to accept the award on December 10, 2025. Furthermore, contributing to the FAA's decision were increasing reports of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference noted around Maiquetía since September 2025. Adding to the show of force, U.S. B-52 bombers conducted flyovers in international Caribbean airspace on November 20, which officials termed 'presence patrols.'

It is important to note that U.S. airlines have been prohibited from operating flights to Venezuela since 2019. However, the current FAA advisory impacts all international carriers serving the nation. This development serves as a stark indicator of a serious geopolitical standoff, where aviation safety is proving to be one of the first and most tangible casualties.