Flights to and from the Eastern Caribbean are gradually returning to normal after the Federal Aviation Administration allowed temporary airspace restrictions to expire early on January 4. The measures had been introduced as a precaution following U.S. military action in Venezuela and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
The restrictions, which limited commercial flight operations across portions of Caribbean airspace, ended at midnight eastern time. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the reopening in a post on X, stating that airlines had been informed and could begin updating schedules immediately.
The closure caused significant disruption during the peak New Year holiday travel period, triggering hundreds of cancellations across the region. Airports in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several Eastern Caribbean nations were affected as airlines suspended operations with little notice.
Major U.S. carriers have moved quickly to restore capacity. American Airlines said it resumed scheduled service on January 4 and added nearly 5,000 seats through extra flights and larger aircraft. By January 5, the airline expanded that figure to almost 7,000 additional seats across 43 extra flights, including limited interisland services designed to funnel stranded passengers into San Juan for onward connections to the mainland United States.
Delta Air Lines also increased capacity, adding more than 2,600 seats through supplemental Caribbean flights on January 5. The carrier said it aims to reaccommodate most affected customers by January 6, while cautioning that physical constraints at many Caribbean airports could still result in delays.
Other airlines have also resumed operations. United Airlines restored its Caribbean schedule and added extra flights to assist displaced travelers, while JetBlue Airways said it rebooked passengers and introduced additional services where possible after canceling more than 200 flights during the shutdown.
The airspace restrictions followed a dramatic U.S. military incursion into Venezuela that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife. U.S. officials say Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy in the Southern District of New York.
Commercial air service between the United States and Venezuela has been suspended since 2019, when the U.S. Transportation Department halted flights citing safety and security concerns. Some U.S. carriers, however, routinely overfly Venezuelan territory on routes to other parts of South America.
Separately, the French Civil Aviation Authority said flights to and from the French West Indies and French Guiana would continue. French airlines have been advised to avoid Venezuelan airspace and carry additional fuel to allow for potential diversions.
