The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the reopening of Caribbean airspace to US carriers effective tonight, allowing airlines to resume services to numerous airports in the region. This decision follows an emergency Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued early on Saturday, January 3, which was prompted by a significant US military operation in Caracas aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The FAA’s restrictions will expire at 12:00 am Eastern Time (ET), as confirmed by Sean Duffy, the US Secretary of Transportation. The FAA does not plan to extend the airspace closure, which had been implemented for safety reasons due to the involvement of approximately 150 US military aircraft, including jets, helicopters, and drones, during the operation.
The airspace shutdown, which took effect at 06:00 am on Saturday, led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the Caribbean. The FAA’s decision to close the airspace was influenced by recent near-miss incidents that raised concerns about midair collisions, especially considering a previous incident involving an American Eagle flight and a US Army helicopter.
In a statement on his X account, Secretary Duffy stated, “The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00 am ET and flights can resume. Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions.”
Airlines Prepare to Resume Operations
Following the unexpected airspace closure, airlines began canceling flights to the Caribbean, causing significant disruptions for travelers. Major carriers such as JetBlue and Delta Air Lines, both heavily affected by the shutdown, are now preparing to reinstate their operations. JetBlue canceled over 200 flights on Saturday, while Delta scrapped more than 100 services.
JetBlue has announced plans to “resume normal operations” on Sunday, January 4, and will consider adding additional flights to popular routes where feasible. The airline had operations impacted at 15 Caribbean airports, while American Airlines faced disruptions at a total of 19 destinations in the region.
Delta Air Lines indicated it plans to operate its regular Caribbean schedule starting Sunday, but mentioned possible adjustments as flight resources are repositioned. Similarly, United Airlines expects to run a regular schedule and increase frequencies on specific routes as needed.
Travel Chaos in the Caribbean
The airspace restrictions coincided with a busy travel weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at Caribbean airports. The timing could not have been worse, as many travelers sought to escape harsh winter conditions in their home countries. The most significantly impacted airport was San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico, which experienced around 400 flight cancellations on Saturday, according to FlightAware data.
Other airports such as Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba also faced severe disruptions, with approximately 100 cancellations each. In the United States, Miami International Airport (MIA), the primary hub for Caribbean flights, recorded over 100 cancellations along with more than 400 flight delays on the same day.
As airlines work to restore normalcy, passengers are advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for updates on flight schedules and travel arrangements. The reopening of Caribbean airspace marks a critical step towards re-establishing connectivity in the region, providing much-needed relief for stranded travelers.
