FAA warns of ‘potentially hazardous situation,’ urges airlines to ‘exercise caution’ when flying over Venezuela

November 22, 2025 at 05:40 PM•2 min read•Fox News

Why the FAA just issued a critical warning for airlines flying over Venezuela's airspace.

Key Points

1US FAA issues critical advisory for commercial flights over Venezuela's Maiquetia FIR.
2Warning cites "worsening security situation," heightened military activity, and significant GNSS interference since September 2025.
3Airlines urged to exercise caution and provide 72-hour notice for overflights due to potential risks from Venezuelan military capabilities.
4American Airlines and Delta Air Lines confirm they ceased overflying Venezuela months prior to the advisory.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a significant advisory, urging commercial airlines to exercise extreme caution when operating in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR) over Venezuela. This warning stems from a "potentially hazardous situation" characterized by a worsening security landscape and heightened military activity within and around the South American nation. The FAA's directive highlights risks to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, arrival, departure phases, and even aircraft on the ground.

A primary concern detailed in the advisory is the documented increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference within the SVZM FIR since September 2025. This interference has reportedly caused lingering effects on civil aircraft transiting the region, with GNSS jammers and spoofers capable of impacting critical communication, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment up to 250 nautical miles away. Concurrently, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and mobilized thousands of forces, raising the specter of unintended consequences for civil aviation, despite no expressed intent to target commercial flights.

While direct flights from US passenger and cargo carriers to Venezuela have remained suspended since 2019, the advisory specifically targets airlines that continue to utilize Venezuelan airspace for routes to other South American destinations. Major carriers like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines confirmed they ceased overflying Venezuela in October and "a while ago," respectively, preempting the FAA's latest caution. The US FAA now requests airlines provide at least 72-hour advance notice if they plan to traverse the affected area, underscoring the gravity of the potential risks posed by Venezuela's advanced fighter aircraft, multiple weapons systems, and low-altitude threats such as man-portable air defense systems and anti-aircraft artillery.