A growing number of global airlines have halted flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a high-level warning about escalating security risks in the country’s airspace. The alert described a “potentially hazardous situation,” prompting several carriers to immediately suspend operations.
On Saturday, Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal canceled their scheduled departures from Caracas, according to data from Flightradar24 and information released by Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Maiquetía International Airport. The cancellations followed a day after the FAA notice was circulated to major global airlines.
Colombia’s Aeronáutica Civil emphasized that air operations in the Maiquetía region now involve “potential risks” due to deteriorating security conditions and an increase in regional military activity. The authority advised airlines to exercise extreme caution.
TAP Air Portugal confirmed that it had canceled flights for both Saturday and the upcoming Tuesday. According to the airline, the decision was based on warnings from U.S. aviation officials which stated that safety standards in Venezuelan airspace “cannot be guaranteed.”
Spanish airline Iberia also joined the list of carriers suspending flights. While its Saturday service from Caracas to Madrid departed as scheduled, the company announced that all flights to the Venezuelan capital would be canceled starting Monday “until further notice.”
An Iberia spokesperson told Reuters that the airline will “continue evaluating the situation” to determine when it may safely resume operations.
Airlines Still Operating vs. Airlines Canceling Flights
| Airline | Status | Reason / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gol (Brazil) | Flights canceled | Following FAA warning and increased regional military activity |
| Avianca (Colombia) | Flights canceled | Colombia aviation authority warned of “potential risks” |
| TAP Air Portugal | Flights canceled (Sat & Tue) | Airspace safety “not guaranteed,” per U.S. authorities |
| Iberia (Spain) | Flights canceled starting Monday | Will assess situation before resuming |
| Copa Airlines & Wingo | Flights operating | No current schedule interruptions reported |
| LATAM Airlines | Sunday flight canceled | Cancellation confirmed by Flightradar24 |
Despite the widespread cancellations, Copa Airlines and Wingo continued operating flights out of Caracas on Saturday, becoming notable exceptions amid increasing concern in the aviation sector.
The FAA bulletin cited “worsening security conditions and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela,” noting that these factors could pose serious risks to aircraft across all altitude levels. The notice comes after reports of a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, advanced F-35 fighter jets, and at least eight supporting vessels.
According to Flightradar24, LATAM Airlines’ Sunday flight to Bogotá was also canceled, adding to the growing list of suspensions triggered by the evolving security landscape.
The situation continues to develop, with airlines and aviation authorities likely to issue further updates in the coming days based on regional stability and U.S. security assessments.
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