Passengers stand next to screens displaying flight information, after flights were delayed and cancelled when the airspace was closed due to U.S. strikes on Venezuela overnight, at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Carolina, near San Juan, Puerto Rico January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
(New York, New York) – Airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the Caribbean on Saturday after U.S. military strikes on Venezuela prompted federal restrictions on regional airspace, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting their vacation plans.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered commercial aircrafts to avoid areas of Caribbean airspace following the strikes, forcing U.S. carriers to ground or reroute flights.
Passengers are left sleeping on airport floors as they wait for updates amid overnight closures.
American Airlines said it’s aware of the airspace restrictions issued overnight and was closely monitoring the situation with the FAA. The carrier said schedule adjustments were being made with customer and crew safety as the top priority. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways also reported widespread Caribbean cancellations.
JetBlue, which operates a significant Caribbean network, said it canceled approximately 215 flights due to airspace closures tied to military activity. The airline noted that flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected by government restrictions.
Airlines said they would waive change fees and fare differences for affected passengers who rebook travel later in the month. It was not immediately clear how long the restrictions would remain in place, though officials said such broad airspace limitations are often temporary.
As cancellations mounted, frustrated travelers took to social media to voice confusion and concern over refunds and rebooking options, with many saying they were unsure how to recover the cost of canceled flights, hotels, and vacation packages. Passengers reported long hold times with airlines and conflicting guidance online, adding to uncertainty as carriers work through waivers and schedule changes following the sudden airspace closures.
