Agency Advisory Cites Troublesome Security and Increased Military Activity

The FAA has issued a fresh advisory urging airlines to use caution when flying in or above Venezuela, citing a “potentially hazardous situation” driven by deteriorating security conditions and increased military activity. The notice applies to all operations in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), where tensions have escalated since early fall.

The advisory follows a sharp rise in US military activity across the Caribbean under US Southern Command. Bombers, Navy vessels, and Marine units have been repositioned as part of expanded counterdrug and counter-“narco-terrorism” missions near Venezuela. While the military buildup isn’t directly tied to civil aviation, it contributes to an increasingly unpredictable operating environment.

According to the agency, this means airlines should exercise caution at all altitudes, including during transit, approach, departure, and ground operations within the FIR. Airlines planning to operate in the area are now asked to provide the FAA with 72 hours’ notice. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines report they have already adjusted their routings, with both carriers confirming they no longer overfly Venezuelan territory.

The FAA also highlighted an uptick in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference across the region since September 2025. Several recent flights reported navigation disruptions severe enough to linger well beyond their time in Venezuelan airspace. The advisory explains that GNSS jamming and spoofing devices can affect aircraft up to 250 nautical miles away.

Compounding the issue is Venezuela’s own military posture. The country has mobilized thousands of active-duty and reserve forces and conducted multiple exercises involving advanced fighter aircraft and air defense systems. The advisory points to potential low-altitude threats, including man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery.

While some international operators still overfly the region, US carriers haven’t flown direct routes to Venezuela since 2019, when the US Department of Transportation issued a suspension order based on assessments by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

FMI: www.faa.gov