At a Glance
- Major U.S. airlines cancel dozens of Caribbean flights after FAA airspace closures.
- Flights to Puerto Rico, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica affected.
- Trump praised the military operation and said no aircraft were lost.
- Why it matters: Passengers face disruptions and refunds as airlines adjust schedules.
U.S. airlines have begun canceling flights to the Caribbean after the FAA imposed airspace closures in the region following a U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Airline Cancellations
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue have all announced adjustments or cancellations, while Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport said it would remain open.
| Airline | Flights Cancelled | Affected Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Several | Puerto Rico, Aruba, Dominican Republic |
| Delta Air Lines | Early Saturday cancellations | Caribbean region |
| Southwest Airlines | Trips to Aruba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico canceled or diverted | Those destinations |
| JetBlue | More than 200 flights | Caribbean (except Dominican Republic and Jamaica unaffected) |
| Grantley Adams International Airport | Remains open | Barbados |
The cancellations reflect FAA compliance with the newly closed airspace.
Political Context
The FAA restrictions followed the U.S. military operation that seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
American Airlines
> “American Airlines is aware of the FAA-mandated airspace closures in the Eastern Caribbean that were issued overnight and is closely monitoring the situation with the agency. We are making schedule adjustments as necessary with the safety and security of our customers and team members top of mind.”
Delta Air Lines
> “Delta began cancelling flights early Saturday morning in compliance with FAA airspace closures in the Caribbean. As cancellations are processed, customers will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation.”
Southwest Airlines
> “Southwest said its trips to Aruba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico were canceled or will be diverted. The airline offered passengers the ability to alter their travel plans or may be eligible to collect a refund.”
JetBlue
> “JetBlue canceled more than 200 flights due to the airspace closures. The airline noted that its flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected.”
President Trump
> “I think we had nobody killed, I have to say because a couple of guys were hit. But they came back and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape. We lost no aircraft. Everything came back, we got it all back.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi
> “Attorney General Pam Bondi outlined the charges Maduro faces in a post online, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices against the United States. The Venezuelan leader was first indicted in 2020.”
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machineguns and destructive devices
- Conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices against the U.S.
Key Takeaways
- Airlines are canceling flights to the Caribbean due to FAA airspace closures.
- The closures stem from a U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leadership.
- Passengers may receive refunds or need to adjust travel plans.
The situation remains fluid as authorities assess the ongoing impact on regional travel and international relations.
