FAA Closes Venezuelan Airspace as US Strikes Disrupt Caribbean Flights

(VENEZUELA) — If you’re flying anywhere near northern South America today, expect cancellations and long detours: the FAA has barred U.S.-registered aircraft from entering Venezuelan airspace at any altitude after U.S. military strikes on January 3, 2026.

The restriction, issued via an FAA Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), took effect at 06:00 UTC on Saturday, January 3. It cites “ongoing military activity” and immediately removes a chunk of airspace that airlines sometimes use for Caribbean and South America routings.

While most leisure travelers aren’t headed to Venezuela right now, the ripple effect can still hit you. Flights to nearby Caribbean destinations may be rerouted, delayed, or canceled if an airline can’t operate efficiently around the closed region. U.S. Virgin Islands officials warned that the islands’ proximity to Venezuela could mean schedule disruption.

Quick summary

Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands said she was informed the FAA issued a security order closing airspace “at all altitudes” in the affected region. She urged travelers to contact airlines directly for schedule updates and rebooking options.

The closure follows U.S. strikes in Venezuela early Saturday. Reports described about 30 minutes of strikes starting around 2:00 a.m. VET (roughly 06:30 UTC) and involving 150 U.S. aircraft across multiple types.

⚠️ Heads Up: If you’re flying today or Sunday in the eastern Caribbean, assume your schedule can change with little notice. Check your reservation before leaving for the airport.

Flights most likely to feel the impact first

Airlines file routes days in advance, but real-world flying changes fast when airspace closes. The first pressure points tend to be:

• Caribbean flights that thread close to northern South America to avoid weather or congestion
• South America-bound itineraries with tight connection banks in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, or Atlanta
• Widebody repositioning and ferry flights, which often rely on flexible routing to stay on schedule

Even if your flight never goes near Venezuelan airspace, aircraft and crews do. A single cancellation in one city can cascade into later flights operated by that same plane.

There’s also a secondary, non-airline impact. The U.S. Postal Service said it will not deliver Priority or Priority Express packages inbound or outbound to the region today due to the restrictions. That can matter if you’re waiting on last-minute travel documents or time-sensitive deliveries.

Who is affected — and who might not be

• Directly affected: U.S.-registered aircraft — this includes most mainline jets flown by U.S. airlines and some private jets and charter operators registered in the United States.
• Not automatically covered: Foreign-registered aircraft are not automatically restricted by an FAA NOTAM.
• Practical reality: Many non-U.S. carriers still avoid conflict zones for safety and insurance reasons, so do not assume a foreign airline itinerary is immune from disruption.

Miles, points, and elite status: immediate considerations

When operational disruptions hit, loyalty program details matter. Protect your balances and status progress by following these points:

• Award tickets: If your award flight is canceled, most major programs allow free redeposit or changes during irregular operations. Keep screenshots of flight status and alerts.
• Same-day reroutes: If a carrier reroutes you onto a partner, confirm whether your ticketed fare class still earns miles and credit toward status. Some rebookings can change earning.
• Status qualification: If you’re chasing annual thresholds, a cancellation can cost you a segment or spend credit. Ask the airline to rebook you on the next available option, not “later today.”
• Companion certificates and upgrade instruments: If you used one, request that it be reinstated if the airline can’t carry you as booked.

Airlines often publish travel waivers during events like this. A waiver can let you change dates or connecting cities without a fee, even on some restrictive fares. The catch: waivers can be narrow, with specific cities and travel windows.

Why some itineraries may recover faster

Operational flexibility is the main differentiator in disruptions tied to airspace and geopolitics:

• Large network carriers often recover faster because they have more daily frequencies and spare aircraft.
• Low-cost carriers may have fewer backup options if one rotation breaks.
• International carriers might have different routings and dispatch rules, but can still be constrained by safety decisions and regional congestion.

No airline had published a definitive reopening timeline for Venezuelan airspace as of Saturday morning. That uncertainty is what drives delays, because dispatchers must plan for the closure to last.

What to do right now

Treat this like a weather disruption day, even if skies are clear.

1. Check your flight status and aircraft routing before you head to the airport.
2. If you have a tight connection, consider moving to an earlier flight while seats exist.
3. Save receipts for meals and hotels if you’re stranded, then ask about reimbursement rules.

• Key date reminder: The FAA NOTAM took effect at 06:00 UTC on Jan. 3, 2026.
• If you’re booked this weekend near the region, recheck your itinerary before every airport departure.