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Commercial flights in the Caribbean were severely disrupted following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights to Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean during the busy travel period.
“Federal authorities temporarily restricted U.S. airline operations at several Caribbean airports,” USA TODAY noted.
“Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport informs that, by order of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA), a temporary airspace restriction has been issued that includes the Puerto Rico region, as a result of a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela. As a consequence, most commercial flights to and from SJU operated by U.S. airlines are suspended or may be temporarily canceled. Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction,” Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport said in a statement.
“Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport will continue to provide any official updates as they become available,” it continued.
COMUNICADO OFICIAL
Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU)
El Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín informa que, por disposición de la Administración Federal de Aviación de los Estados Unidos (FAA), se ha emitido una restricción temporal del espacio aéreo que… pic.twitter.com/RphtXGtU3b
— Aeropuerto SJU (@AeropuertoSJU) January 3, 2026
USA TODAY shared further:
The pause includes flights at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the Caribbean’s busiest hub, as well as airports in Ceiba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques and Culebra, according to Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz.
Acting under orders from the Federal Aviation Administration, commercial passenger and cargo operations were suspended through 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, with the potential for extensions.
Over 300 flights originating and arriving to the island were canceled as of midday Jan. 3, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Nearly 100 flights to and from Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport were also canceled.
Some flights from San Juan scheduled for Sunday are currently canceled.
“Early this morning in support of the Department of War, the FAA restricted the airspace in the Caribbean and Venezuela to ensure the SAFETY of the flying public,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
“When appropriate, these airspace restrictions will be lifted. Please work with your airlines directly if your flight has been impacted,” he added.
Early this morning in support of the Department of War, the FAA restricted the airspace in the Caribbean and Venezuela to ensure the SAFETY of the flying public.
When appropriate, these airspace restrictions will be lifted. Please work with your airlines directly if your…
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) January 3, 2026
CNBC noted:
Airlines affected by the flight restrictions included American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. Carriers waived change fees and fare differences for customers affected by the airspace closures if they change their flights to later in the month. Airlines included more than a dozen airports in region in their waivers.
JetBlue, which has a large operation in the Caribbean, said it canceled about 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity.” The airline noted that flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected by government restrictions
American Airlines said it canceled all of its flights in the Eastern Caribbean on Saturday.
Dutch airline KLM also warned travelers about disruptions because of the airspace restrictions, potentially affecting Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and other flights.