Mass cancellations are rippling across Caribbean routes today as U.S. airlines and several European carriers scramble to respond to rapidly changing airspace restrictions following the U.S. strike on Venezuela.
Mass Airline Cancellations Hit Caribbean After FAA Restrictions And Venezuela Escalation
What began overnight as an FAA ban on U.S. overflights of Venezuelan airspace has now spread to widespread cancellations and delays across the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and northern South America, affecting both U.S. and foreign carriers.
U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and Southwest, have all pulled back flying today, while European carriers such as KLM are also facing delays and cancellations as they reroute aircraft around restricted airspace.
JetBlue Caribbean Cancellations Reveal Scope Of Disruption
JetBlue’s cancellation list alone shows just how broad the impact has become. Caribbean destinations affected today include:
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
- Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN)
- Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE)
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT)
- St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (STX)
- Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI)
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
- St. Maarten (SXM)
- Barbados (BGI)
- Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS)
- Aruba (AUA)
- Curaçao (CUR)
- Bonaire (BON)
- Antigua (ANU)
- Grenada (GND)
- St. Lucia (UVF)
- Georgetown, Guyana (GEO)
Flights to all of these destinations have been proactively cancelled!
And JetBlue is just an example: this is not limited to one island or one carrier. These are core leisure markets and U.S. territories and it appears we are only now beginning to realize the extent of what is unfolding.
San Juan Airport Confirms FAA-Ordered Suspension
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan issued an unusually blunt statement confirming the scale of the disruption:
“Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport informs that, by order of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA), a temporary airspace restriction has been issued that includes the Puerto Rico region, as a result of a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela.
As a consequence, most commercial flights to and from SJU operated by U.S. airlines are suspended or may be temporarily canceled. Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction.
Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport will continue to provide any official updates as they become available.”
That statement is news itself, with the security-driven airspace restriction wider than originally reported. It also appears that airlines are clearly taking a conservative approach rather than gambling on reroutes that could force a U-turn midflight.
European Carriers Are Feeling It Too
While the FAA order applies directly to U.S. airlines, European carriers are not immune. Airlines like KLM that operate into the Dutch Caribbean and northern South America are facing a growing list of cancellations. Several KLM flights returned to Amsterdam (AMS) earlier today, with KLM stating:
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will determine later whether planned flights can operate. The safety of our passengers and employees remains our highest priority.”
Some Air France and Iberia flights to the region have also been cancelled.
CONCLUSION
The mounting list of flight cancellations is a predictable consequence of the sudden geopolitical shock we witnessed this morning, with airspace closures that have spread well beyond Venezuela.
If you are traveling today or tomorrow, especially to or through Puerto Rico or the eastern Caribbean, assume delays and cancellations until proven otherwise. Check your flight before leaving home, for I expect many cancellations today and potentially many extra segments or equipment upgrades to larger aircraft tomorrow to make up for today.
Yeah, not necessarily the best weekend to be in Aruba…
So, if a KLM flight makes it half way across the Atlantic, but then has to turn around and head back to Amsterdam, do business class passengers still get their choice of delft blue house? (Asking the real questions.)
Many of those cancellations by JetBlue make no sense based on the advisory. Perhaps just being over cautious but it appears to be causing unnecessary pain to travelers.
The article is not completely accurate. The Dominican Republic is unaffected and none of those flights were cancelled.
B6 1937?
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/JBU1937
SJU-SDQ is cancelled because Puerto Rico’s airspace is closed. I looked at BOS/JFK-SDQ/STI today, and there are no cancellations by B6.
It is affected. My daughter is stranded there. They rescheduled their flight for Monday morning, and are now being told it could be delayed as long as the 10th. They are in San Jaun. The airlines cannot give them a specific time. As the FAA can only control U.S. flights, Air Canada is flying normally.
I would image a short spike in oil prices until the world gets some clarity on the situation.
Also, China won’t be too happy at the moment for a fair percentage of its oil comes from Venezuela.
Venezuela has the largest oil reserve in the world, but some of the lowest production of most OPEC countries.
It also produces some of the heaviest grade oil, but the refineries along the Gulf Coast are able to handle this type as per a BBC News Report a few weeks ago under the title of “The real reason Venezuela matters” on YouTube.
All correct. The oil is also especially suited for Diesel and Jet Fuel. After refining, those are the primary targets for use. That means transport industries across the U.S. are about to get a late Christmas gift. The sheer amount of oil there could result in billions of profits generated in airline, cargo, trucking etc.
Regardless, one gain does not come without pain. China will lose heavily in this. As such, I am fairly certain that Xi is drawing up plans as we speak for an attack on Taiwan. Most likely in April when conditions on the strait are the calmest. XI will need semiconductors to use as bargaining chips now for oil. Taiwan has exactly what he needs.
A small correction…… the YouTube video was produced by Sky News, not the BBC.
Still worth seven minutes of your time!!
not to veer too far from aviation but this could all be a big chess match. Cuba is also dependent on Venezuela oil. Lots of countries could be in play w/ change in Iran and Venezuela.
The US best get its military assets repositioned to the Pacific.
Aviation, is always, in the front seat of politics
If this is what finally topples and frees Cubans from the Castro regime, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world…
China gets 3% from Venezuela, and oil they get from Venezuela is pay back for a loan.
The amount of oil China gets from Venezuela may be minimal.
However, what is more significant is its diminished influence over Venezuela.
Wag The Dog
“Remember the Maine!” (1898)
“Remember the Epstein Files!” (2026)
So……does this mean Venezuela becomes the 51st state as opposed to Canada?!?
We can have 52 states…
You’re missing CUN.