U.S. and international carriers are rushing to restore operations and clear a backlog of stranded passengers after the FAA and Department of Transportation lifted airspace restrictions over Venezuela and the Caribbean following a shutdown spurred by U.S. military strikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
What’s Happening
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DOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the airspace closure was lifted at midnight, allowing airlines to resume flights to the region immediately.
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Airlines are now in catch-up mode, deploying larger aircraft and adding extra flights to move thousands of displaced travelers during the busy holiday return window.
Airline Updates
- Air Canada
- Waiver: Customers traveling to affected destinations (including Bogotá and Cartagena) through Jan. 6 can rebook free of charge for travel up to Jan. 13, 2026.
- Travelers are urged to use the self-service rebooking tools online due to high call volumes.
- American Airlines
- Has resumed scheduled service and is adding nearly 5,000 additional seats to the region.
- The airline is deploying its largest aircraft (Boeing 777-300) to maximize capacity and has added extra flights for Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 to key destinations including Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA), Barbados (BGI), Curacao (CUR), Puerto Rico (SJU), and St. Thomas (STT).
- Waiver: Fare caps remain in place, and flexibility is available for affected customers.
- Delta Air Lines
- Resumed flights to all 13 previously impacted airports early Sunday morning.
- Operations: Expects to operate a normal schedule with additional recovery flights and larger aircraft.
- Advisory: Due to airport crowding, Delta is asking customers to avoid impacted airports unless they have a confirmed ticket for travel that day.
- Waiver: Remains effective for travel through Jan. 6, 2026.
- United Airlines
- Operations are resuming following the lifting of restrictions.
- Customers should check their specific flight status online as the airline works to normalize its schedule.
What to watch: While the airspace is open, ripple effect delays may persist as crews and aircraft are repositioned. Agents should advise clients to check flight status before heading to the airport, even if their flight is shown as scheduled.
This story will be updated as additional travel information is provided from the U.S. DOT, FAA, and airlines.
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