Iberia Extends Caracas Flights Suspension Amid New Venezuelan Airspace Warning

A caller alert from nan Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) complete nan risks of flying crossed Venezuelan skies has prompted Spain’s largest airline, Iberia, to widen nan suspension of its Madrid–Caracas way until nan extremity of nan year.

The little charismatic connection sent to airlines advises that “until 31 December 2025, civilian Spanish operators are powerfully recommended not to run immoderate flights successful nan Maiquetía FIR [Venezuela and confederate Caribbean] owed to imaginable civilian aviation risks from accrued subject activity, anti-aircraft weapons tin astatine each altitudes, and a deficiency of coordination betwixt conflicting parties.” Iberia has been nan first to enactment connected this guidance, adhering to nan caller information calendar.

The informing besides affects Air Europa, Plus Ultra, and Venezuelan carriers operating flights for Spanish circuit operators. Air Europa has announced cancellations “until December 12 inclusive. The business is being continuously monitored, and immoderate hold of cancellations will dangle connected developments, ever prioritising nan information of passengers and crew.” Plus Ultra has grounded flights this week, pinch its spokesperson adding: “We proceed to measure nan business successful existent time.”

Tensions emergence successful nan confederate Caribbean

The AESA’s connection mirrors 1 issued past Monday, November 24, aft tensions escalated successful nan confederate Caribbean amid an unprecedented US subject deployment since nan Gulf War. The Trump administration’s run against supplier trafficking and violent groups involves operations linked to Nicolás Maduro’s regime. AESA initially advised avoiding Venezuelan airspace until December 1; nan caller advisory extends that play to December 31.

Earlier, nan US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had already issued a high-risk informing for nan Maiquetía Flight Information Region, covering each of Venezuela and a wide agelong of nan confederate Caribbean, recommending that airlines debar nan area until February 19.

Airlines measurement information against governmental tensions

While Venezuela is responsible for officially closing its airspace—a measurement it has not issued—foreign aviation authorities whitethorn rumor information recommendations, arsenic some AESA and nan FAA person done.

Iberia explained that nan determination to widen nan suspension of its regular Madrid–Caracas flights (except Fridays and Sundays) followed AESA’s guidance, which comes nether Spain’s Ministry of Transport. Passengers affected by nan suspension are offered options to reschedule their flights, take adjacent destinations, aliases petition a afloat refund. The hose stressed its volition to resume Caracas operations erstwhile “full information guarantees are restored.”

Revoked licences adhd complications

Resuming flights will require Iberia to regain nan licence revoked past week by Venezuela’s Civil Aviation Institute (INAC), a move that besides affected TAP, Turkish Airlines, Gol, Avianca, and Latam. Venezuelan authorities interpreted nan suspension arsenic a consequence to perceived alignment pinch US pressure.

Iberia presently allocates 126,000 seats per twelvemonth to nan Madrid–Caracas route, representing 1.68% of its long-haul operations. The wide business effect is truthful limited, though nan business is being monitored continuously.

Impact connected wider Latin American operations

Beyond Venezuela, Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra person not yet had to set different Latin American operations. Key markets specified arsenic Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and nan Dominican Republic could look complications if US subject deployments grow aliases utilise adjacent airports.

Tensions successful nan region intensified past play erstwhile nan US president announced plans to “soon” extremity supplier trafficking from Venezuela “also by land” and suggested that Venezuelan airspace could beryllium closed entirely, raising nan imaginable of a subject operation.

Colombian authorities respond

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority has criticised nan uncertainty caused by these statements. Its charismatic connection confirmed that Venezuelan airspace remains “fully unfastened and operational, without restrictions affecting civilian navigation.” The connection rejected “pronouncements by a 3rd authorities pinch nary sovereign authority complete Venezuelan airspace,” noting that specified declarations “lack operational validity and create disorder successful nan civilian aviation system.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro had expressed a akin position nan erstwhile day.

IATA emphasises information first

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reiterated connected Monday that information “remains nan apical privilege for aviation.” The organisation defended airlines’ correct to independently measure risks, including nan closure of airspace, to protect passengers and crew. IATA emphasised that this autonomy is “especially important erstwhile alerts aliases circumstantial concerns person been raised,” and urged governments to respect airlines’ decisions.

While Nicolás Maduro claims nan US seeks to isolate Venezuela, airlines are focused connected ensuring nary lives are put astatine risk, maintaining that information considerations must prevail complete governmental disputes.