Three international airlines, including Gol, Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal, canceled flights departing from Venezuela after the US FAA warned of heightened security risks and military activity in the region.
Three international airlines cancelled their flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday, the day after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines 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, according to Flightradar24 and the official website of Simon BolivarMaiquetia International Airport.
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.”
TAP Air Portugal confirmed it cancelled its flights scheduled for Saturday and next Tuesday. “This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed,” the company told Reuters.
Spain’s Iberia also said it was 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 canceled, Flightradar24 says.
