Plan accordingly — and plan for flexible timelines — if you’re traveling to the Caribbean over the next few days.
Major U.S. airlines are canceling flights and issuing travel waivers for the Caribbean after the Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace over Venezuela and the eastern Caribbean following U.S. military strikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The airspace closures have effectively cut off key flight corridors, stranding travelers and forcing carriers to reroute or ground operations during a peak holiday travel weekend.
What’s happening:
- The FAA issued restrictions for the Maiquetia Information Region (covering Venezuela) and surrounding Caribbean airspace due to “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.”
- Airports in Puerto Rico (SJU), Aruba (AUA), and Curacao (CUR) are among the hardest hit, with massive schedule disruptions reported.
- Miami International Airport (MIA) warned travelers of delays and cancellations linked to the restricted airspace.
Airline updates and waivers:
- American Airlines
- Impacted Airports: Anguilla (AXA), Antigua (ANU), Argyle (SVD), Aruba (AUA), Beef Island (EIS), Bonaire (BON), Bridgetown (BGI), Curacao (CUR), Dominica (DOM), Fort de France (FDF), Grenada (GND), Pointe-a-Pitre (PTP), Port of Spain (POS), San Juan (SJU), St. Croix (STX), St. Kitts (SKB), St. Lucia (UVF), St. Maarten (SXM), St. Thomas (STT).
- Waiver Details: Change fees waived for travel scheduled Jan. 3–4, 2026.
- Delta Air Lines
- Impacted Airports: Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA), Bridgetown (BGI), Bonaire (BON), Curacao (CUR), Grenada (GND), San Juan (SJU), St. Maarten (SXM), St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas (STT), St. Kitts (SKB), St. Vincent (SVD), St. Lucia (UVF).
- Waiver Details: Applies to flights through Jan. 6; check Fly Delta app for rebooking options.
- United Airlines
- Impacted Airports: Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA), Bridgetown (BGI), Bonaire (BON), Aguadilla (BQN), Curaçao (CUR), Dominica (DOM), Port of Spain (POS), San Juan (SJU), St. Kitts (SKB), St. Thomas (STT), Sint Maarten (SXM), St. Lucia (UVF).
- Waiver Details: Travelers are urged to check flight status directly for rerouting options (new flights must depart between Jan. 6 and Jan. 13)
- JetBlue
- Impacted Airports: Aguadilla (BQN), Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA), Bonaire (BON), Bridgetown (BGI), Curaçao (CUR), Georgetown (GEO), Grenada (GND), Ponce (PSE), Port of Spain (POS), San Juan (SJU), St. Croix (STX), St. Lucia (UVF), St. Maarten (SXM), St. Thomas (STT).
- Waiver Details: Check the travel alerts page for specific fee waivers.
- Southwest Airlines
- Impacted Airports: Aruba (AUA), Punta Cana (PUJ), San Juan (SJU).
- Waiver Details: Customers may rebook within 14 days of original travel date without additional airfare.
- Spirit Airlines
- Impacted Airports: Aruba (AUA), San Juan (SJU), St. Croix (STX), St. Maarten (SXM), St. Thomas (STT).
- Waiver Details: Delays and cancellations expected; check specific flight status.
- Frontier Airlines
- Impacted Airports: San Juan (SJU), Ponce (PSE), Aguadilla (BQN), St. Maarten (SXM), Aruba (AUA).
- Waiver Details: Change/cancel fees waived for travel Jan. 3–4, 2026.
What they’re saying:
- MIA Statement: “Due to restricted airspace near Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean, some flights at MIA are being affected. Please check your flight status with your airline.”
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU): Confirmed that most commercial flights operated by U.S. airlines are suspended by FAA order. Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in the order.
The Last Word: Agents should monitor airline trade portals as waivers may be extended if the conflict and airspace restrictions persist.
Related Stories
Report: The Top Cities for Business Travel
Yoga Tourism Market Slated to Swell to $222 Billion Globally
American Airlines Strengthens Ties at Flagship DFW Hub
JetBlue to Launch New Flights Between New York and Cleveland
Source link
