The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the reopening of Caribbean airspace to US carriers, effective tonight. This decision comes as airlines prepare to resume services to numerous airports across the region after an emergency closure was imposed earlier due to a significant US military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.
Early on Saturday, January 3, 2024, the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricted flights in the region following a military action aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The operation involved approximately 150 US military aircraft, including jets, helicopters, and drones. This prompted concerns over air safety, particularly after several near-miss incidents in the preceding weeks.
Sean Duffy, the US Secretary of Transportation, confirmed the expiration of the airspace restrictions at 12:00 am Eastern Time on January 4, indicating that the FAA does not plan to extend the closure. Duffy’s announcement came via his account on X, stating, “The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00 am ET and flights can resume.”
With the emergency NOTAM in place since 06:00 am on Saturday, airlines swiftly began canceling flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the Caribbean. Many travelers found themselves stuck in foreign countries with no clear timeline for their return, despite airlines providing special travel waivers.
Airlines Prepare for Resumption of Services
As the FAA’s order is set to expire, US airlines are preparing to restore their Caribbean routes. JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines, which faced significant disruptions, are among the first to announce plans for resumption. JetBlue canceled over 200 flights on Saturday, while Delta scrapped more than 100 services to the region.
JetBlue is aiming to “resume normal operations” on Sunday, January 4, and is also considering adding additional flights to select routes when possible. The airline’s operations at 15 Caribbean airports were affected, while American Airlines had 19 destinations impacted by the airspace closure.
Delta has indicated it plans to operate its regular Caribbean schedule on Sunday but noted there might be “possible schedule adjustments as airline resources are repositioned.” Similarly, United Airlines expects to operate a regular schedule on Sunday and will increase frequencies on certain routes as needed.
Impact of Airspace Closure on Travel
The airspace shutdown coincided with a busy post-New Year travel period, exacerbating the situation for many travelers. The Caribbean is a popular destination during this time, particularly for those escaping winter conditions in their home countries.
The most severely affected airport was San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico, which recorded around 400 flight cancellations on Saturday, according to FlightAware data. Other airports such as Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in the US Virgin Islands and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba also experienced substantial cancellations, with approximately 100 flights affected at each location.
In the United States, Miami International Airport (MIA) saw over 100 cancellations as well, making it the busiest US hub for Caribbean flights. The airport recorded more than 400 flight delays on the same day, contributing to widespread confusion and frustration among travelers.
As airlines work to resume normal operations, passengers are encouraged to stay in contact with their carriers for updates regarding their flights. The reopening of Caribbean airspace marks a significant step towards restoring travel services, but the impact of the recent disruptions will be felt by many in the days to come.
