A recent US military operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on March 15, 2024, causing significant disruptions to travel across the Caribbean. On that day, no airline flights were permitted to cross Venezuelan airspace, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights by major airlines throughout the eastern Caribbean. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had imposed restrictions due to the ongoing military activity, which left many travelers stranded or unable to reach their destinations.
Flight cancellations impacted various locations, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba, and numerous islands in the Lesser Antilles. Many airlines announced they would waive change fees for passengers forced to reschedule their flights. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Saturday evening that the flight restrictions would be lifted by midnight EST, allowing airlines to resume normal operations on Sunday.
In response, Southwest Airlines announced it would add six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico and another eight round-trips on Monday. The airline also scheduled two additional flights to Aruba to accommodate travelers returning from their vacations. Officials at Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba, which is a popular holiday destination for US travelers, expressed optimism for a return to normal operations on Sunday after a day filled with cancellations.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados acknowledged the disruption caused by the conflict, stating at a news conference that it had significantly affected both the airport and seaport in the region. For many families, the chaos disrupted travel plans at a time when many were returning from the recent holiday season.
Take the case of Lou Levine and his family from Washington, DC, who were set to return home on Saturday morning. They woke up to find their flight canceled, forcing them to scramble for new arrangements. After struggling to reach JetBlue, they finally managed to secure a new flight for that very day, extending their weeklong holiday into a two-week trip. While grateful for the flexibility of his employer, Levine noted the extra expenses incurred during their extended stay.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), this weekend marked a peak travel period, with approximately 122.4 million Americans expected to travel at least 50 miles from home. Despite the disruptions, many travelers still sought to enjoy the Caribbean beaches before returning to colder climates. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz emphasized the importance of staying informed and allowing airlines to send travel alerts.
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, announced via social media that flight restrictions stemmed from the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela. As a result, nearly 60% of all flights at that airport were canceled on Saturday, according to data from FlightAware.com. Notably, foreign airlines and military aircraft were exempt from these restrictions.
While some airlines, such as Air Canada, operated flights to the Caribbean normally, others like WestJet canceled flights to Aruba “out of an abundance of caution.” Major US airlines cancelled flights across the eastern Caribbean, affecting nearly two dozen destinations, including Anguilla, Antigua, and Curacao. In contrast, destinations farther west, like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, experienced fewer disruptions.
JetBlue reported it canceled approximately 215 flights due to airspace closures linked to the military operation. Dutch airline KLM also announced cancellations impacting thousands of passengers but planned to resume service to and from Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire by Sunday.
The flight disruptions also affected travelers booked for Caribbean cruises. Virgin Voyages informed airline passengers who could not reach San Juan in time for their cruise that they would receive a full credit for a future trip.
As airlines work to return to normal operations, travelers are reminded to remain vigilant and informed about their travel plans in light of the evolving situation in Venezuela.
