US Military Action in Venezuela Impacts Caribbean Travel Plans

The recent U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has significantly impacted Caribbean travel, coinciding with a peak travel period for the region.

On that day, FlightRadar24.com reported that no airline flights were crossing over Venezuela. Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean, warning passengers of potential disruptions lasting several days due to restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flights to and from popular destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba were affected, along with numerous other locations in the Lesser Antilles. To accommodate travelers, airlines waived change fees for those needing to reschedule their flights.

However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the restrictions would be lifted at midnight EST, allowing airlines to resume normal operations by Sunday.

In response to the disruptions, Southwest Airlines added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on Sunday and another eight on Monday, aiming to assist travelers returning from their vacations. Additionally, two extra flights to Aruba were scheduled for Sunday.

At the Queen Beatrix airport in Aruba, a favored holiday spot for U.S. tourists just 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Venezuela’s coast, officials anticipated a return to normal operations on Sunday after a day filled with canceled flights that left many travelers stranded.

In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley addressed the situation, stating, “The consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry,” which include both an airport and a seaport for cruise ships.

In Puerto Rico, Lou Levine and his family were set to return to the Washington, D.C., area on Saturday morning, only to find their flight canceled. After checking his phone, Levine learned about the situation and attempted to contact JetBlue for rescheduling. Although the airline returned his call two hours later, they were unable to assist. Eventually, after reaching out via social media, JetBlue managed to book them on a flight for Saturday, extending their New Year’s holiday into a two-week trip.

Levine, a software company manager, expressed gratitude for his flexible employer but noted that his daughter would miss a week of high school. The unexpected expenses, including dog-sitting and car rentals, added to the stress. “I love it here. But it’s really painful on the wallet,” he remarked.

This weekend followed the peak 13-day holiday period when AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home. Despite the disruptions, many travelers were eager to enjoy the last moments of their tropical vacations before returning to colder climates.

“The Caribbean is a top destination this time of the year,” said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. “Many people are trying to get back home this weekend ahead of work and school on Monday.” Diaz advised travelers to stay informed and enable phone alerts from airlines.

An announcement from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, indicated that restrictions were implemented due to the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela. Consequently, nearly 60% of all flights to and from that airport were canceled on Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.

Notably, foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in the restrictions. Air Canada reported that its flights to the Caribbean were operating normally, while another Canadian airline, WestJet, canceled flights to Aruba “out of an abundance of caution.”

All major U.S. airlines canceled flights across the Eastern Caribbean on Saturday due to the restrictions, adjusting their schedules accordingly. Nearly two dozen island destinations were affected, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, St. Lucia, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. However, destinations further west, like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, remained largely unaffected.

JetBlue, based in New York, canceled approximately 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity.” Dutch airline KLM also canceled flights impacting thousands of passengers but planned to resume service to and from Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, and other islands on Sunday.

The flight disruptions also impacted travelers booked for Caribbean cruises. Virgin Voyages announced that airline travelers unable to reach San Juan in time for their cruise departures would receive full credit for a future trip.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The recent U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has significantly impacted Caribbean travel, coinciding with a peak travel period for the region.

On that day, FlightRadar24.com reported that no airline flights were crossing over Venezuela. Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean, warning passengers of potential disruptions lasting several days due to restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flights to and from popular destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba were affected, along with numerous other locations in the Lesser Antilles. To accommodate travelers, airlines waived change fees for those needing to reschedule their flights.

However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the restrictions would be lifted at midnight EST, allowing airlines to resume normal operations by Sunday.

In response to the disruptions, Southwest Airlines added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on Sunday and another eight on Monday, aiming to assist travelers returning from their vacations. Additionally, two extra flights to Aruba were scheduled for Sunday.

At the Queen Beatrix airport in Aruba, a favored holiday spot for U.S. tourists just 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Venezuela’s coast, officials anticipated a return to normal operations on Sunday after a day filled with canceled flights that left many travelers stranded.

In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley addressed the situation, stating, “The consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry,” which include both an airport and a seaport for cruise ships.

In Puerto Rico, Lou Levine and his family were set to return to the Washington, D.C., area on Saturday morning, only to find their flight canceled. After checking his phone, Levine learned about the situation and attempted to contact JetBlue for rescheduling. Although the airline returned his call two hours later, they were unable to assist. Eventually, after reaching out via social media, JetBlue managed to book them on a flight for Saturday, extending their New Year’s holiday into a two-week trip.

Levine, a software company manager, expressed gratitude for his flexible employer but noted that his daughter would miss a week of high school. The unexpected expenses, including dog-sitting and car rentals, added to the stress. “I love it here. But it’s really painful on the wallet,” he remarked.

This weekend followed the peak 13-day holiday period when AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home. Despite the disruptions, many travelers were eager to enjoy the last moments of their tropical vacations before returning to colder climates.

“The Caribbean is a top destination this time of the year,” said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. “Many people are trying to get back home this weekend ahead of work and school on Monday.” Diaz advised travelers to stay informed and enable phone alerts from airlines.

An announcement from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, indicated that restrictions were implemented due to the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela. Consequently, nearly 60% of all flights to and from that airport were canceled on Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.

Notably, foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in the restrictions. Air Canada reported that its flights to the Caribbean were operating normally, while another Canadian airline, WestJet, canceled flights to Aruba “out of an abundance of caution.”

All major U.S. airlines canceled flights across the Eastern Caribbean on Saturday due to the restrictions, adjusting their schedules accordingly. Nearly two dozen island destinations were affected, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, St. Lucia, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. However, destinations further west, like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, remained largely unaffected.

JetBlue, based in New York, canceled approximately 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity.” Dutch airline KLM also canceled flights impacting thousands of passengers but planned to resume service to and from Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, and other islands on Sunday.

The flight disruptions also impacted travelers booked for Caribbean cruises. Virgin Voyages announced that airline travelers unable to reach San Juan in time for their cruise departures would receive full credit for a future trip.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
USA
Tech