The FAA temporarily closed portions of Caribbean airspace after a U.S. military operation that led to the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, triggering hundreds of flight cancellations. Travelers at hubs including Aruba, San Juan and St. Barts were left stranded, with airlines issuing vague notices and urging some passengers to avoid crowded airports. American Airlines added nearly 7,000 seats and 43 flights, and other carriers expanded service as cancellations fell sharply at San Juan from 57% to 4% the next day. Passengers were advised to monitor airline and FAA updates and prepare for possible rerouting or delays.
Caribbean Travel Chaos: FAA Airspace Closure After U.S. Military Operation Strands Tourists as Airlines Rush to Add Flights
Passengers rest on the floor, 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. - Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed portions of Caribbean airspace after a U.S. military operation that led to the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The closure triggered widespread flight cancellations and left many travelers scrambling for ways home during a peak travel period.
Widespread Disruptions and Stranded Passengers
Carriers canceled hundreds of flights from major Caribbean hubs, including Aruba, San Juan and St. Barts, according to FlightAware data. Travelers described receiving vague cancellation notices and having to hunt for lodging, rescheduled flights or alternative routes when airports filled beyond capacity.
Personal accounts:
Julie Hurwitz said a 3 a.m. Delta alert informed her that her return flight to Atlanta was canceled “with no information, really.” She had been visiting family on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and, along with 11 other family members, scrambled to find a place to stay while adults called out of work. The group hoped a rescheduled flight for Tuesday would get them home in time for a niece’s fifth birthday.
Kelly and John Maher of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, were told while boarding a ferry that no American commercial flights would depart that day. Left with only vague notices, they and other travelers shared rumors and speculation about the shutdown while waiting for updates.
High-profile travelers were affected as well: Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly missed the Palm Springs International Film Festival after his flight out of St. Barts was grounded.
Airline Responses and Recovery
Although the FAA later lifted the restrictions for commercial carriers, the cancellations left carriers scrambling to restore service. American Airlines said it added nearly 7,000 seats across Caribbean routes and deployed its largest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300, along with 43 extra flights to boost capacity. Delta urged passengers without same-day tickets to avoid airports because of limited physical space at many Caribbean airports. United and Southwest also reported working to add flights and restore connections.
Flight Data
FlightAware reported sharp improvement at some airports after the initial disruption: at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, 57% of departures (about 200 flights) were canceled on Saturday, compared with 4% (23 flights) the following day.
What Travelers Should Know
If you are traveling to or from the Caribbean after large-scale airspace disruptions: check airline notices frequently, contact carriers directly for rebooking options, expect crowds at airports as airlines consolidate flights, and consider travel insurance that covers cancellations during politically driven airspace closures.
Note: This report is based on airline statements and FlightAware data reported by news outlets. Travelers should check official FAA and airline channels for the latest updates on flights and airspace restrictions.
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