The dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military forces has triggered widespread travel disruption across the Caribbean, cancelling hundreds of flights during a peak holiday period. The operation, which saw Maduro flown out of Venezuela early on Saturday, 3 January 2026, led to immediate airspace restrictions over the region.
Major Airlines Ground Flights
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, no commercial airline flights were crossing Venezuelan airspace on Saturday. This prompted major U.S. carriers to cancel services en masse. JetBlue announced the cancellation of approximately 215 flights, citing "airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity."
United Airlines adjusted its schedule to account for the closures in the Venezuela region, while Southwest cancelled all Saturday flights to Aruba and suspended Puerto Rico services until late afternoon. American Airlines issued waivers for around 20 island destinations.
FAA Imposes Security Restrictions
The disruption stems from temporary restrictions imposed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, stated on social media that restrictions were due to the "security situation related to military activity" in Venezuela.
The airport confirmed that most commercial flights operated by U.S. airlines to and from the hub were suspended or facing cancellation. Foreign carriers and military aircraft were exempt from the ban. Passengers were strongly advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Passenger Advice and Waivers
Airlines are offering flexibility to affected travellers. Most are waiving change fees for passengers needing to reschedule. JetBlue and others have offered rebooking options or refunds for cancelled services. Delta Air Lines issued a travel waiver for customers travelling to or from 13 impacted airports through to Tuesday, 6 January.
While flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba were heavily affected, services to some destinations like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were reported to be operating normally by several carriers. The situation remains fluid, with airlines stating they are continuing to monitor developments in coordination with U.S. aviation authorities.
