By San José, Costa Rica — A wave of uncertainty has swept across the Caribbean travel sector after several major international airlines abruptly canceled flights to Venezuela this past weekend. The decision follows a new air safety alert issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), citing heightened military activity in the region and introducing a fresh layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical landscape.
The alert, officially designated as NOTAM A0012/25, advises extreme caution for all aircraft operating within the Venezuelan flight information region, which includes a significant portion of the southern Caribbean. The FAA warned of potential risks to both in-flight and on-ground operations due to an increase in military movements. While the notice does not constitute a formal ban on entering the airspace, its serious tone was enough to trigger immediate and decisive action from airline risk assessment teams.
To understand the legal and business ramifications of this Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alert for both airlines and travelers in Costa Rica, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in corporate and aviation law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While the FAA’s directive is a U.S. federal action, its impact is immediately global and directly affects Costa Rican airspace and carriers. Our own Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) will almost certainly align with these safety protocols, as international aviation law and treaties hinge on such reciprocity. For airlines, this translates to immediate operational audits and potential groundings, which in turn trigger legal obligations towards passengers regarding flight cancellations and delays under local regulations. It’s a critical test of both international compliance and domestic consumer protection.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The expert’s analysis perfectly frames the situation not merely as a technical issue, but as a critical test of our nation’s ability to balance international regulatory alignment with robust domestic consumer protection. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on these cascading legal and operational effects.
In a swift response, a coalition of prominent carriers grounded their services. Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, and Brazil’s GOL were among those that suspended flights scheduled for November 22nd. Taking an even more cautious approach, Latam Airlines announced it was extending its cancellations for the Bogotá–Caracas route through November 24th, framing the move as a necessary preventative measure while it monitors the evolving security situation.
Despite the widespread cancellations, operations at Venezuela’s primary international gateway, Maiquetía International Airport, have not come to a complete standstill. A number of airlines, including Copa Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and the low-cost carrier Wingo, have opted to maintain their regular schedules to destinations such as Panama City, Havana, and Santo Domingo. The Venezuelan Airline Association released a statement reassuring the public that civil aviation is not directly involved in the activities that prompted the U.S. alert, though it acknowledged that some intermittent disruptions could occur.
The timing of the FAA’s warning is notable, coinciding with the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, one of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carriers, to the Caribbean. The Pentagon has maintained that the warship’s presence is part of established counter-narcotics operations in the region. However, these activities have long been a source of diplomatic friction between Washington and the government of Nicolás Maduro, which has faced repeated accusations related to drug trafficking.
The security alert has also prompted neighboring countries to react. Colombian aviation authorities have activated their own security protocols, instructing airlines operating within their jurisdiction to conduct thorough internal risk evaluations. This is particularly critical for routes that traverse or fly near the Maiquetía flight region, demonstrating how quickly regional security concerns can have a cascading effect on international travel logistics.
The FAA notice is set to remain in effect until February 19, 2026, and carries an unusual stipulation that further highlights the gravity of the situation. Any airline intending to enter Venezuelan airspace must now provide U.S. authorities with a minimum of 72 hours’ advance notification, including detailed flight plans and the nature of their operation. This level of oversight is a significant departure from standard procedures and signals a sustained period of heightened scrutiny.
For now, the skies over Venezuela remain a patchwork of caution and continued operation. The episode serves as a stark reminder of how deeply intertwined air travel is with geopolitics and military posturing in the Caribbean. Passengers with upcoming travel plans to the region are strongly advised to stay in close contact with their airlines for the latest updates, as carriers continue to evaluate the dynamic situation on a day-to-day basis.
For further information, visit faa.gov
About the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of American civil aviation. Its primary mission is to ensure the safety of civil aviation.
For further information, visit iberia.com
About Iberia:
Iberia is the flag carrier airline of Spain, founded in 1927. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main base at Madrid–Barajas Airport. Iberia, along with its franchise partner Air Nostrum, is part of the International Airlines Group.
For further information, visit avianca.com
About Avianca:
Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia and one of the largest airlines in Latin America. It operates an extensive network of destinations throughout the Americas and Europe from its hub in Bogotá. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance.
For further information, visit latamairlines.com
About Latam Airlines Group:
Latam Airlines Group S.A. is a South American airline holding company incorporated under Chilean law and headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The group also has offices in São Paulo, Brazil, with subsidiaries in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.
For further information, visit flytap.com
About TAP Air Portugal:
TAP Air Portugal is the state-owned flag carrier airline of Portugal, headquartered at Lisbon Airport, which also serves as its hub. TAP is a member of the Star Alliance and operates on average 2,500 flights a week to 90 destinations in 34 countries worldwide.
For further information, visit caribbean-airlines.com
About Caribbean Airlines:
Caribbean Airlines Limited is the state-owned airline and flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago. Headquartered in Piarco, the airline operates flights to the Caribbean, North America, and South America from its base at Piarco International Airport.
For further information, visit voegol.com.br
About GOL Linhas Aéreas:
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. is a Brazilian low-cost airline based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the largest airlines in the country and operates a significant network of domestic and international flights primarily within South America.
For further information, visit copaair.com
About Copa Airlines:
Copa Airlines is the flag carrier of Panama. It is headquartered in Panama City, with its main hub at Tocumen International Airport. Copa is a member of the Star Alliance and is well-known for connecting the Americas through its “Hub of the Americas.”
For further information, visit turkishairlines.com
About Turkish Airlines:
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey. As of 2024, it operates scheduled services to more international destinations nonstop from a single airport than any other airline in the world, flying to numerous countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
For further information, visit wingo.com
About Wingo:
Wingo is a low-cost airline owned by Copa Holdings. It began operations in 2016, replacing the previous Copa Airlines Colombia brand. The airline focuses on offering affordable flights to destinations within Colombia and to several international locations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Venezuelan Airline Association
About the Venezuelan Airline Association:
The Asociación de Líneas Aéreas de Venezuela (ALAV) is an industry body representing the interests of domestic and international airlines operating in Venezuela. It facilitates communication between airlines, government authorities, and other stakeholders in the national aviation sector.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica serves as a pillar of the legal community, defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. Drawing upon a rich heritage of advising a diverse clientele, the firm champions a forward-thinking approach, consistently staying at the helm of legal innovation. This ethos extends to its foundational mission of empowering the public, as it actively works to demystify complex legal concepts and foster a society equipped with crucial legal awareness.
