FAA Airspace Closure Strands US Tourists in Caribbean After Venezuela Operation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed a portion of Eastern Caribbean airspace over the weekend. This action followed a reported US military operation in Venezuela. The operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The sudden closure caused widespread travel disruption during a busy holiday period.

Airspace Ban and Flight Cancellations

Early Saturday, the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to all airlines. The NOTAM banned flights from entering the Eastern Caribbean airspace. This was due to a "safety-of-flight risk associated with ongoing military activity." Hundreds of flights were canceled on Saturday as a direct result of the ban. Aviation data firm Cirium reported more than 425 flights were canceled in and out of the Caribbean. Over half of these cancellations involved Puerto Rico.

Airports across the region were heavily impacted. These included popular destinations like Aruba, Curaçao, St. Martin, and the US Virgin Islands. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, saw hundreds of inbound and outbound flights canceled on Saturday. This created chaos for thousands of travelers.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media that the ban would expire. The Caribbean airspace closure was lifted at midnight Eastern time on Sunday. This allowed commercial flights to resume normal operations.

Airlines Scramble to Add Capacity

Major US air carriers quickly worked to clear the resulting backlog of US tourists stranded across the islands. Airlines added extra flights and used larger aircraft to increase capacity. This was a necessary step to accommodate passengers with canceled flights.

American Airlines was a key player in the recovery effort. The airline added 43 extra flights to the region. This provided nearly 7,000 additional seats for stranded travelers. For the first time in over a decade, American Airlines operated inter-island flights in the Eastern Caribbean. These flights connected Anguilla Wallblake (AXA) and Beef Island (EIS) to San Juan, Puerto Rico. This strategy helped move passengers to the main hub for onward travel to the US mainland.

Delta Air Lines also added significant capacity. The airline provided 2,600 extra seats on supplemental flights by Monday. Delta stated it was working to rebook all affected customers by Tuesday. However, the airline cautioned that delays were still possible. This was due to the increased airline capacity adjustments and crowded airports.

• Key Takeaway: Travelers with confirmed rebooked tickets were advised to arrive three hours early. Those without confirmed tickets were asked to avoid the airport until their booking was finalized.

Passenger Impact and Recovery

Despite the airspace reopening, many American tourists found themselves stuck for days. The sudden airline flight cancellations left many unable to return home as planned. Nydia Han, an anchor for ABC Philadelphia station WPVI, was among those affected. She and her family were stranded in Vieques, Puerto Rico. They were told they could not fly home until Friday.

This event highlights the vulnerability of commercial aviation news and operations to geopolitical events. The FAA's swift action, while necessary for safety, created a massive logistical challenge. Airlines must now manage the complex task of restoring schedules. They are also working to minimize further disruption for passengers. The focus remains on efficiently transporting the remaining stranded travelers home.