Trump Urges Airlines to Avoid Venezuelan Airspace
President Donald Trump has warned airlines to treat Venezuelan airspace as inaccessible. In a recent post on Truth Social, he stated, “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.” This warning follows an advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding safety concerns in the region.
FAA Advisory on Venezuelan Airspace
The FAA published a notice urging caution for airlines operating in the Maiquetia flight information region. They cited a “potentially hazardous situation” marked by increasing military activity in and around Venezuela. The FAA instructed operators to exercise caution at all altitudes due to the dangers posed by these threats.
Airlines React to Safety Concerns
In response to the FAA’s advisory, several international airlines have chosen to cancel flights to Venezuela. The FAA had already advised airlines to inform them at least 72 hours in advance if they intend to fly through the area. Some airlines had previously suspended direct flights to Venezuela since 2019, but continued to operate over the country on their routes to South America.
- Venezuelan airspace deemed unsafe due to “potentially hazardous situation.”
- Increased military activity noted in the region.
- International airlines, including Iberia Airlines, cancel flights to Venezuela indefinitely.
- Direct flights by U.S. carriers to Venezuela were halted in 2019.
Specific Risks to Aircraft
The FAA’s advisory mentioned an uptick in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference since September 2025. This interference has been linked to activities related to Venezuela’s military readiness. Reports from civil aircraft indicated GNSS disruptions that could impact critical communication and navigation systems.
The FAA’s communication underscored that such interference could extend up to 250 nautical miles, posing risks during overflight and ground operations. As a result, premature cancellations by airlines reflect an acute awareness of the ongoing dangers in Venezuelan airspace.
Aircraft operators must remain vigilant as the situation develops, adapting their strategies while addressing safety concerns in and around Venezuela.
