The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned major airlines on November 21 (US time) about "potential dangerous situations" when flying over Venezuela and called on them to be cautious.
The warning cited " worsening security and increased military activity in or around Venezuela" and said the threats could pose a risk to aircraft at all altitudes.
The FAA said that since September, there has been an increase in disruption to the Global Satellite System (GNSS) in Venezuela, which in some cases has had a prolonged impact throughout flights, as well as "activities related to enhancing Venezuela's military readiness".
Venezuela has conducted many military drills and directed the mobilization of thousands of military forces and mass reserves. The FAA said the Venezuelan military has advanced fighter jets and many weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding the altitude of civil aircraft, and there are potential risks at low altitudes from air defense and anti-aircraft artillery systems. However, the FAA said Venezuela has never expressed any intention of targeting civil aviation.
The region has seen a major US military increase in recent months, including the largest US Navy aircraft carrier, at least eight other warships, and F-35. The Trump administration has bombed boats allegedly carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
Direct flights of US transport companies to Venezuela have been suspended since 2019, but some US airlines still fly through the country for some flights to South America. The new order requires US airlines to provide the FAA with at least 72 hours of notice of scheduled flights, but not prohibit flights through the country.
American Airlines said on November 21 that it had stopped flying through Venezuela in October. Delta Air Lines stopped flying over Venezuela "a while ago". United Airlines did not comment immediately. The FAA said it will continue to monitor the risk environment for US civil aviation operating in the region.
