Maduro’s Capture Causes Widespread Caribbean Flight Disruptions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. military capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro triggered widespread air travel disruptions across the Caribbean. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed due to airspace closures and FAA-imposed restrictions. Major airlines like JetBlue, American, and Southwest are offering waivers as the situation unfolds.
Caribbean Travel Chaos – Quick Looks
- Maduro’s capture halts airline traffic over Venezuela
- FAA imposes restrictions near Puerto Rico and eastern Caribbean
- Hundreds of holiday flights canceled or delayed by major carriers
- JetBlue cancels 215 flights citing Caribbean airspace closures
- American Airlines waives change fees for 20+ island destinations
- Delta issues waivers for 13 impacted Caribbean airports
- Flights to Aruba, Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia among those hit
- Airlines urge travelers to confirm flight status before traveling
Deep Look
Maduro’s Capture Causes Widespread Caribbean Flight Disruptions
The U.S. military operation that successfully removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro early Saturday has sent ripples far beyond Caracas — disrupting air travel across the Caribbean during one of the region’s busiest holiday weekends.
Following Maduro’s sudden capture and extraction by U.S. forces, commercial flights were halted over Venezuelan airspace, and airlines began canceling flights en masse across the eastern Caribbean. According to FlightRadar24.com, no flights were seen passing through Venezuela’s airspace on Saturday, a rare and dramatic shift for the region’s aviation activity.
In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed temporary restrictions over Puerto Rico and surrounding regions, citing security concerns tied to military activity in Venezuela. These restrictions have disrupted operations at key regional travel hubs and triggered cascading delays across several countries and territories.
An official post from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico confirmed the FAA’s move, attributing it to “the security situation related to military activity.” The airport warned that most commercial flights operated by U.S. airlines had been suspended or were subject to cancellation, advising passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
JetBlue emerged as one of the most affected carriers, canceling approximately 215 flights due to the airspace closures. The airline clarified that routes to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic remained unaffected, and customers could either rebook or request refunds if their flights were impacted.
United Airlines also reported schedule adjustments across the region, allowing passengers to change travel plans without penalties while it continued to coordinate with U.S. aviation authorities. The company said it was closely monitoring the evolving situation and updating its response accordingly.
Southwest Airlines took similar measures, suspending all flights to Aruba on Saturday and canceling flights to Puerto Rico until late in the day. However, like JetBlue, it reported no disruption to flights bound for the Dominican Republic.
American Airlines announced broad policy changes to accommodate affected travelers. The carrier waived change fees for flights to and from more than 20 Caribbean destinations, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curaçao, Saint Lucia, and both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Delta Air Lines also issued a travel waiver for passengers flying to or from 13 affected Caribbean airports, offering flexibility for travelers whose plans were disrupted through at least Tuesday.
The impact of the flight chaos is being felt particularly hard by holiday travelers heading to Caribbean destinations known for winter tourism. With the region already busy due to seasonal demand, the sudden grounding of flights has left thousands of passengers scrambling to rebook or delay their plans.
While foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in the FAA’s restrictions, U.S. carriers bore the brunt of the immediate impact. Passengers across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean are now facing uncertainty as airlines race to adjust schedules and wait for updates from aviation authorities.
As tensions remain high in the aftermath of the dramatic U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, continued disruptions are possible in the coming days. The full scope of flight operations is expected to evolve as U.S. officials monitor the security situation and evaluate airspace safety.
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