The Caribbean airspace closure followed U.S. military activity tied to Venezuela’s leadership, and airlines say it may take days to fully clear backlogs across the region.
Travelers still reporting delays after FAA reopens routes
Despite the Federal Aviation Administration reopening the Eastern Caribbean airspace following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, some American tourists say they remain stuck across the region. Airlines spent Sunday scrambling to add flights and rebook customers, but many travelers said the earliest available seats were still days away.
What triggered the flight disruption
The FAA issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) early Saturday barring flights from entering the Eastern Caribbean airspace. The notice cited a “safety-of-flight risk associated with ongoing military activity.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later said the airspace ban would expire at midnight Eastern time on Sunday. Even after the restriction lifted, airlines warned that schedules would need time to stabilize as aircraft and crews were repositioned.
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Airlines cancel hundreds of flights, then race to add capacity
Major U.S. air carriers — including Southwest, JetBlue, United, Delta, and American — canceled hundreds of flights during the ban. Several carriers said they were working to restore service and add extra flights to accommodate customers whose trips were disrupted.
American Airlines said it is adding 5,000 additional seats to its Caribbean routes and deploying a Boeing 777-300, the largest plane in its fleet, to help move stranded travelers. Airlines have also directed customers to monitor rebooking options as space opens up.
Airports begin returning to normal, but the backlog persists
Flights across the Caribbean — including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaacao, St. Martin, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands — were among those affected during the shutdown. Some airports began showing signs of normal operations returning, including inbound and outbound flights at Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad, Aruba, according to FlightRadar24.
In Puerto Rico, about 29 flights into and out of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport were canceled on Sunday, far fewer than the roughly 400 inbound and outbound flights canceled on Saturday. Even so, the reduced schedule left many travelers competing for limited seats.
Tourists describe being stuck for days
Billy Gunther of Florida said he and his wife, who are newlyweds, were finishing their stay at an Airbnb in Puerto Rico when they received a notification that their flight was canceled. Gunther told media in Naples, Florida, that it could be another three days before they can get a flight home.
What travelers can expect next?
As airlines rebuild schedules, travelers may continue to see limited availability, long holds for customer service, and rolling cancellations or delays tied to aircraft positioning. Airlines have urged customers to keep checking their flight status and rebooking options as additional capacity is added.
The disruption has also highlighted how quickly airspace restrictions can ripple through Caribbean travel, even after official notices expire, as carriers work through multi-day backlogs.
Sources:
Reuters – “US lifts Caribbean airspace curbs after attack on Venezuela”
