On early Sunday, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and various other carriers reinstated flights to Puerto Rico and other regions of the Caribbean following the lifting of temporary airspace restrictions by U.S. aviation authorities. These restrictions were initially imposed due to recent U.S. military strikes on Venezuela, which had disrupted air travel and led to numerous flight cancellations.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced via a post on X that the temporary airspace restrictions were set to expire at midnight Eastern time, allowing airlines to resume their scheduled services starting Sunday. "Airlines are informed and will update their schedules quickly," Duffy stated, highlighting the swift response needed to accommodate travelers affected by the disruptions.
Thousands of passengers experienced significant travel disruptions during the New Year holiday period due to an order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which instructed commercial aircraft to avoid certain parts of the Caribbean region. This directive led to hundreds of flight cancellations, causing considerable inconvenience for those traveling during this busy time.
In light of the situation, United Airlines announced it would restart its service commencing with flights to San Juan, with additional departures planned for Sunday to help accommodate travelers whose plans were affected. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines confirmed it was resuming its Caribbean operations and actively working to rebook customers impacted by the schedule changes. Frontier Airlines also confirmed to CNBC that they had resumed normal operations.
In addition to United and Delta, other airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways were also impacted by the temporary restrictions. Many carriers opted to waive change fees and fare differences for customers who needed to rebook flights later in the month, offering flexibility during this tumultuous period. Notably, over a dozen airports in the region were included in these waivers.
This brief shutdown of air travel serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly military actions can disrupt civilian air travel, necessitating airlines to suspend operations far beyond the immediate conflict zones. It is worth noting that major U.S. airlines have not provided direct services to Venezuela for several years, with American Airlines being the last major carrier to cease flights to the country back in 2019 amid ongoing unrest.
As the situation evolves, travelers are encouraged to stay updated on their flight schedules and airline policies, particularly in light of the recent developments affecting air travel to the Caribbean and surrounding areas.