Several international airlines cancel their flights in Venezuela after US warning

LATAM Airlines

22/11/2025 20:25

MADRID, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Three international airlines cancelled their flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines on Friday of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over the country.

Brazil's Gol, Colombia's Avianca and TAP Air Portugal cancelled their flights departing from Caracas on Saturday, Flightradar24 and Maiquetia International Airport's official website show.

Aeronautica Civil de Colombia said in a statement there were "potential risks" of flying in the Maiquetia area "due to the deterioration of security conditions and increased military activity in the region."

Spain's Iberia also said they were cancelling their flights to Caracas from Monday until further notice. The Spanish company's flight scheduled on Saturday to Madrid from Venezuela's capital departed.

"The company will assess the situation to decide when to resume flights to that country," an Iberia spokesperson told Reuters.

Copa Airlines and Wingo kept their flights departing from Maiquetia on Saturday.

The U.S. FAA notice cited the "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela" and said threats could pose risks for aircraft at all altitudes.

There has been a massive American military buildup in the region in recent months, including the U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, at least eight other warships, and F-35 aircraft.

Latam Airlines LTM.SN flight to Bogota scheduled for Sunday has also been cancelled, Flightradar24 says.

 (Reporting by Mayela Armas in Caracas; Corina Pons and Ana Cantero in Madrid; editing by Diane Craft)

 ((ana.cantero@thomsonreuters.com; +34 918 35 67 06;))