The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice urging airlines to “exercise caution” due to a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.
This advisory comes amid an increased U.S. military deployment across the Caribbean by U.S. Southern Command. This expanded operation involves bombers, warships, and Marines, targeting drug-trafficking and “narco-terrorist” networks operating near Venezuela.
The advisory states, “Operators are advised to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetia flight information region at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.”
It further added, “Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground.” Airlines are also requested to provide the FAA with at least 72 hours’ advance notice if they plan to fly through the area.
While direct flights from U.S. passenger and cargo carriers to Venezuela have been suspended since 2019, some airlines still fly over the country on their South American routes.
It was noted that American Airlines reported on Friday it stopped flying over Venezuela in October, and Delta Air Lines stated it ceased “a while ago.”
The FAA indicated that “Since September 2025, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness.”
The FAA continued, “Some civil aircraft recently reported GNSS interference while transiting the SVZM FIR, which, in some cases, caused lingering effects throughout the flight. GNSS jammers and spoofers can affect aircraft out to 250 nautical miles and can impact a wide variety of critical communication, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment on aircraft.”
It also warned, “Additionally, since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces. While Venezuela has at no point expressed an intent to target civil aviation, the Venezuelan military possesses advanced fighter aircraft and multiple weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aircraft operating altitudes, as well as potential low-altitude risk from man-portable air defense systems and anti-aircraft artillery.”
Morgan Phillips of Digital contributed to this report.