US Airspace Restriction Leaves Venezuela Dependent on 20 Aging Planes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a safety warning in November, citing a "potentially hazardous situation" near Venezuela. This was due to a massive military buildup in the region. President Trump then stated the airspace should be considered closed. This action has severely impacted Venezuelan air connectivity.

More than a dozen international air carriers have since stopped serving the South American nation. These suspensions followed the FAA alert and a U.S. military presence increase.

The Crippling Impact on Air Connectivity

Venezuela's 28 million people are now highly dependent on an aging commercial aircraft fleet. This fleet includes only about 20 planes, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These aircraft are operated by local airlines little known outside the country.

Before the recent restrictions, Venezuela averaged about 15,000 passengers weekly. This traffic was mostly to and from Spain, Portugal, Panama, and Colombia. IATA reports that weekly passenger traffic has now plunged to only 1,000 to 2,000.

Local carriers are rushing to reroute flights. Travel agents report that these airlines are charging hefty prices for detours through neighboring countries. This is necessary to connect passengers to their final destinations.

Geopolitical Risk and Safety Concerns

The U.S. measures are designed to isolate the Maduro government. However, aviation industry experts note that the industry is often the first to suffer from geopolitical problems. The ultimate price is paid by average passengers, according to Rodolfo Ruiz, a Caracas-based law firm managing partner.

Safety concerns have also heightened due to the U.S. deployment of warships. On December 12, a JetBlue plane reported a near midair collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling jet. This incident occurred near Venezuelan waters, north of the country.

Industry insiders suggest the near-miss may be linked to GPS and radar jamming. This jamming complicates navigation as both the U.S. and Venezuela increase their military hardware.

“What airlines want to make sure is that we don’t have incidents over an airspace where an airplane is attacked because it was mistaken for a military carrier,” said Peter Cerdá, vice president for the Americas at IATA.

Passenger and Cargo Fallout

The fallout has been immediate and deeply personal for many. Holidays have been canceled, and families cannot bring essential medicine to aging relatives. Cash-strapped Venezuelans have been left stranded abroad.

• Stranded Travelers: Venezuelan rock band frontman Reynaldo Goitía, known as Boston Rex, was stranded in Madrid. He had to take a costly detour through Barbados to return home for Christmas.
• Lost Connections: A Venezuelan marketing agent in Spain had to cancel a family reunion trip. Her cousins were supposed to bring costly medications for an elderly relative with Parkinson’s disease.

The flight disruptions also affect essential cargo. This includes pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, and critical aircraft parts. Venezuelan carriers need these parts to maintain their aging commercial aircraft fleet.

In response, Venezuelan authorities ordered national airlines to keep flying. They also stripped operating licenses from some foreign carriers that suspended flights. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello denounced the airlines, stating: “You guys can keep your planes and we’ll keep our dignity.”

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has stated the government is seeking alternative routes. They are focusing on Venezuelan carriers to restore some air links. Aviation experts, such as Gregory Barrios, estimate that 40,000 people saw their December travel plans affected during the peak season. Barrios expressed concern over how quickly international carriers acted to cut off Venezuela after the U.S. warning, calling it a "very worrisome dynamic" for commercial aviation news.