A major US military operation in Venezuela has triggered widespread disruption to air travel across the Caribbean, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights over a key holiday period.
Airspace Closure and Widespread Cancellations
The disruption began on Saturday, 3 January 2026, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. In response to the developing security situation, Venezuelan airspace was effectively closed, with no commercial aircraft reported to have crossed it that day.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly imposed flight restrictions, which rippled across the region. This led to significant cancellations for numerous popular destinations, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba.
Airlines Scramble to Assist Passengers
Major airlines were forced to adjust their operations rapidly. Carriers such as JetBlue, United, Southwest, American, and Delta activated flexible travel policies for affected passengers.
These measures included waiving change fees and offering options for rebooking or refunds to those caught up in the unexpected travel chaos. The airlines cited a "security situation related to military activity" in Venezuela as the cause for the severe disruptions.
Ongoing Impact on Holiday Travel
The timing of the incident exacerbated the situation, occurring during a peak travel period for the Caribbean. Aviation officials have warned that the knock-on effects are likely to persist for several days, causing continued inconvenience for thousands of travellers.
The event underscores how geopolitical instability can have immediate and far-reaching consequences on global transport networks and international tourism, with the Eastern Caribbean bearing the initial brunt of the fallout.
