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The FAA issued an emergency NOTAM on Saturday, prohibiting any U.S. aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace. The NOTAM followed a major US military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
There have been reports of U.S. military aircraft flying in Venezuela with transponders switched off, according to SimpleFlying. This increased the chances of a midair collision, and multiple near-miss accidents occurred. Commercial service between the U.S. and Venezuela has been suspended since 2019, but some airlines fly over the country while en route to other South American locations. Multiple airlines cancelled flights on Saturday, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights within the region and stranding thousands of holiday travellers, according to Business Traveller.
The ban expired on Sunday, after DOT Secretary Duffy confirmed it would not be extended.
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UPDATE: The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00am ET and flights can resume. Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions. https://t.co/5Cv46Xnjy4— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) January 4, 2026 While the ban was brief, airlines are now resuming operations and adjusting flights to accommodate more passengers. American Airlines expanded to 7,000 extra seats supported by 43 additional flights and Delta Air Lines has also added more than 2,600 seats through supplemental Caribbean flights, according to Aviation Week Network.