Summary
Some U.S. airlines added more flights to help travelers return from the Eastern Caribbean after the FAA temporarily closed the airspace due to military activities in Venezuela. These restrictions were lifted on January 4, 2026, and airlines like American and Delta increased their services to clear the backlog of stranded passengers.
Key Facts
- The FAA closed Eastern Caribbean airspace to U.S. airlines on January 3, 2026, due to military actions in Venezuela.
- The closure affected 13 major airports, including those in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
- The restrictions ended at midnight on January 4, 2026, allowing flights to resume.
- American Airlines added about 43 extra flights with nearly 7,000 seats to assist stranded travelers.
- Delta Air Lines added over 2,600 seats across its Caribbean network for January 5.
- Other airlines like JetBlue, Spirit, and United expected to return to normal operations by January 6.
- Travelers are advised to check flights and arrive early due to anticipated congestion as operations return to normal.
