Airlines cancel slew of Caribbean flights, are 'closely monitoring' situation amid Venezuela strikes

Travel

Airlines cancel slew of Caribbean flights, are 'closely monitoring' situation amid Venezuela strikes

American, Delta and JetBlue issue travel waivers as holiday travelers scramble to get home

Ashley J. DiMella Fox News

Published

January 3, 2026 2:47pm EST

Video

Trump shares details on capture of Nicolas Maduro: 'Spectacular assault'

President Donald Trump addresses the nation regarding the strike and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, noting that no U.S. service members were killed and vowing establish control of Venezuela until power is transitioned.

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U.S. airlines began canceling Caribbean flights early Saturday morning after the "large-scale attack" on Venezuela.

President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country — and will stand trial for criminal charges in New York.

Following the successful mission, the FAA issued a slew of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) over Venezuela as well as the Caribbean airspace, barring any flights without FAA approval.

US RENEWS 'DO NOT TRAVEL' ALERT OVER TERRORISM, KIDNAPPING AMID TRUMP NARCO-TERROR FIGHT

The NOTAMs are set to last through late Saturday night. As of this writing, it is unclear if they will be extended.

The FAA directed Fox News Digital to the Department of War for comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, look on during a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026.

President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Airports in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Aruba are among the many impacted.

Some stranded holiday travelers are looking for a way home in the New Year.

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"As a result of the FAA-mandated airspace closures in the Eastern Caribbean, American is adjusting its flight schedule for the region," an American Airlines spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Saturday.

The FAA has closed Eastern Caribbean airspace for now, prompting dozens of flight cancellations. (iStock)

"We recognize the disruption these restrictions have on our customers and are doing all we can to take care of them, including providing additional flexibility for customers whose travel is affected," the spokesperson added.

Delta Air Lines issued a travel waiver for customers traveling to or from 13 impacted airports between Jan. 3-6.

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"Delta teams continue to monitor the situation closely as the safety and security of our customers and people comes before all else," read their press release.

aerial view of aruba with couple walking on beach

Airports in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Aruba are among the many impacted. (iStock)

American Airlines issued a travel alert to 19 airports due to the "FAA airspace closure" in the Eastern Caribbean, offering change fee waivers.

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"Due to international airspace restrictions affecting portions of the Caribbean, some commercial flights may be impacted," JetBlue announced in a travel alert.

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JetBlue will waive change and cancel fees for travelers impacted.

About 16.8 million Americans visited the Caribbean in 2024, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Airlines cancel slew of Caribbean flights, are 'closely monitoring' situation amid Venezuela strikes