Airlines resume Caribbean service, add flights after Venezuela airspace closure

Airlines scrambled to restore service and add capacity throughout the Caribbean on January 4, 2026, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted airspace restrictions imposed during US military operations in Venezuela.

The FAA closed regional airspace to US commercial flights on January 3, 2026, forcing carriers to cancel hundreds of flights, stranding tens of thousands of travelers at the end of the busy holiday period. 

The restrictions expired at midnight US Eastern Time, allowing flights to resume.

Flight tracking site FlightAware showed approximately 20 cancellations in San Juan on January 4, down from 400 the previous day. However, disruptions are expected to continue for days as airlines work through backlogs with limited seat availability.

Carriers add capacity

American Airlines added 17 extra flights and more than 3,700 extra seats to the region, deploying two Boeing 777-300s for San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico to Miami International Airport (MIA) round trips. Southwest Airlines added six extra round trips to San Juan on January 4, and eight on January 5, plus two additional flights to Aruba.

We’re continuing to support customers affected by the FAA-mandated airspace closure in the Eastern Caribbean with more flights, more seats and limited-time interisland flying. In total, we’ve added nearly 7,000 seats and 43 extra flights, including interisland flights. Visit…— americanair (@AmericanAir) January 5, 2026 United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also added flights on January 4, 2026, with Delta expecting to operate its normal Caribbean schedule. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways resumed normal operations after JetBlue canceled 215 flights during the closure.

Despite the resumption of regular operations, many stranded travelers struggled to find available seats as newly added flights sold out quickly. Some passengers reported no availability until the end of the week, with several lacking accommodation or unable to afford additional hotel nights.

Airlines waived change fees and fare differences for affected customers rebooking later in the month. 

Military operation background

On January 3, 2026, the FAA closed airspace over the Caribbean, citing “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.” The restrictions followed a US military operation on the same day that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown to New York.

Venezuelan and Caribbean airspace from late last night (local time) through this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/oxu5ha3dXs— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 3, 2026 US Attorney General Pam Bondi released an indictment charging Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy and other charges in the Southern District of New York. Major US carriers have not served Venezuela directly for years, with American Airlines halting flights to the country in 2019.

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