The skies above Venezuela have gone quiet — not from lack of demand, but from fear. Starting November 22, 2025, a cascade of international airlines halted flights to and from the country after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency advisory warning of a "potentially hazardous situation" in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region. The alert, issued on November 21, 2025, cited "heightened military activity" in Venezuelan airspace that threatens civilian aircraft at every phase of flight — from takeoff to landing, even while parked on the ground. The result? Hundreds of travelers stranded, thousands of bookings canceled, and a country already on the edge of isolation pushed deeper into silence.
Why This Isn’t Just About Air Travel
This isn’t a routine safety review. It’s a geopolitical earthquake disguised as an aviation notice. The FAA’s warning came just days after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio formally designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 24, 2025. The designation, which targets individuals linked to Venezuela’s leadership — including Nicolás Maduro Moros — claims the group is behind massive drug trafficking operations and state-sponsored violence. The timing wasn’t coincidental. Around the same time, U.S. Navy ships and dozens of fighter jets were spotted moving through the Caribbean, signaling a broader military posture aimed at disrupting trafficking networks.For airlines, the message was clear: fly at your own risk. The FAA required operators to give 72 hours’ notice before any flight into the region and demanded immediate reporting of any security incidents. That’s not standard procedure. That’s a red flag waved in the face of commercial aviation.
The Airlines That Pulled Out — and the Ones That Didn’t
By Sunday, November 23, Marisela Loaiza, president of the Airlines Association of Venezuela (ALAV), confirmed at least six international carriers had suspended service. Among them: Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, LATAM Airlines Group, Avianca, GOL Linhas Aéreas, Caribbean Airlines, and Turkish Airlines — which extended its suspension through November 28. Even Air Europa, Spain’s largest private airline, pulled its Caracas routes until conditions improved.But it wasn’t a total blackout. Copa Airlines, Wingo, and American Airlines and United Airlines continued limited operations — though American and United had already stopped overflying Venezuela since 2019. Venezuelan carriers LASER and Estelar also suspended flights, with LASER posting on Instagram that its Madrid routes were being rescheduled from November 24 to 27 for "operational reasons."
GNSS Jamming: The Silent Threat No One Talks About
Beyond military jets and political posturing, there’s a quieter, more insidious danger: GPS spoofing and jamming. Multiple airlines reported "lingering navigation issues" as aircraft transited the region. The Global Navigation Satellite System — the backbone of modern flight planning — appears to be under deliberate interference. Pilots have described erratic altitude readings, false position data, and sudden course deviations. One pilot from a LATAM flight told reporters: "We had to revert to dead reckoning. That’s like flying blindfolded in a storm."This isn’t theoretical. In 2022, similar jamming in the Black Sea region forced dozens of flights to reroute. But here, the stakes are higher — and the perpetrators harder to identify. Is it the Venezuelan military? A rogue faction? A foreign actor testing capabilities? The FAA didn’t say. But it didn’t have to. The message was in the silence.
Caracas Strikes Back — And the World Reacts
Instead of negotiating, Venezuelan officials issued an ultimatum: restore flights within 48 hours, or lose your flying rights. The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) called it "reckless," warning it would "further reduce connectivity to a country already badly isolated."Europe didn’t wait. The UK updated its travel advisory on November 23, telling passengers: "Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice. Stay in touch with your airline." Germany labeled Venezuela’s situation as "tense and potentially deteriorating." Even Brazil, Venezuela’s neighbor, quietly began reviewing its own air corridors.
For travelers, the fallout was immediate. Hundreds were stranded in Caracas. Others faced chaotic rebookings across continents. One Canadian tourist, stuck for three days in Simón Bolívar International Airport, said: "I thought I was going to miss my wedding. I didn’t think a country could just disappear from the map — but it did."
A Country Cut Off — Again
This isn’t Venezuela’s first flight ban. Since 2019, U.S. carriers have been barred from flying to Venezuela after the Department of Homeland Security cited threats to passenger safety. But now, the isolation is global. The FAA’s advisory has no expiration date. Airlines must now assess the situation daily — a logistical nightmare. For a nation already suffering from hyperinflation, food shortages, and mass emigration, this is another economic blow. Tourism, already a shadow of its former self, is now nearly nonexistent.And yet, the Maduro government continues to deny any wrongdoing. Officials blame "U.S. imperialism" and "economic warfare." But when your own airlines can’t fly, and your international partners are pulling out, the truth becomes harder to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect regular travelers to Venezuela?
Thousands of passengers are stranded or forced into expensive rebookings. With only a handful of airlines still operating, tickets are scarce and prices have spiked. Many travelers — especially those visiting family or seeking medical care — now face multi-day detours through Colombia or Panama, adding hundreds of dollars and extra time to their journeys. The lack of direct flights has effectively cut off Venezuela from much of the global travel network.
What’s the risk of flying over Venezuela now?
Even overflights are risky. The FAA’s advisory covers all altitudes, meaning aircraft passing through Venezuelan airspace — even those not landing — could be exposed to military activity or electronic interference. Several carriers have already rerouted flights around the region. Pilots report GPS anomalies that could lead to navigational errors, especially during low-visibility conditions or emergency situations.
Why did the FAA act now, and not earlier?
The FAA has monitored Venezuela’s airspace since 2019, but recent intelligence suggests a dramatic escalation in military drills, radar tracking of civilian aircraft, and confirmed instances of GNSS jamming. Multiple airlines submitted safety reports between November 15 and 20, 2025, detailing near-misses and system failures. The FAA’s warning wasn’t a reaction to politics — it was a response to verified, growing threats to flight safety.
Could this lead to a total aviation shutdown in Venezuela?
It’s possible. With over 10 international carriers suspended and no clear path to resolution, Venezuela’s aviation infrastructure is on life support. Even domestic flights are affected as fuel and spare parts become harder to import. If the situation doesn’t improve by early December, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) may issue a formal advisory, which would trigger even more global restrictions.
What’s the connection between the Cartel de los Soles and the flight bans?
The FAA didn’t cite the Cartel de los Soles designation directly, but the timing and context are unmistakable. The U.S. government is signaling that Venezuela’s state apparatus is deeply entangled with transnational crime. Military activity in the airspace — including unannounced fighter scrambles — mirrors tactics used to protect drug trafficking corridors. The flight suspensions are as much about cutting off illicit networks as they are about safety.
Is there any hope for flights returning soon?
Not unless there’s a major shift in Venezuela’s behavior. Airlines need assurances: no more jamming, no more military interference, and transparent communication with international aviation authorities. So far, the Maduro government has offered none. Without diplomatic engagement — and likely U.S. concessions — the skies above Caracas will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
