CARACAS - The Venezuelan government has issued an ultimatum to international airlines: resume flights to Venezuela within 48 hours or risk losing your operating license. The warning was made public Monday by the Venezuelan aviation authority (INAC), escalating tensions in an already volatile regional aviation climate.
The directive comes after a wave of flight cancellations by several major carriers, following a safety alert issued Friday by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warning of a potentially dangerous situation in Venezuelan airspace. The FAA cited increasing U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and recent American strikes on boats the U.S. claims are linked to drug trafficking.
Airlines Cancel Flights Amid Regional Tensions
Over the weekend, multiple airlines halted their operations to Venezuela, including:
TAP Air Portugal
Avianca (Colombia)
Iberia (Spain)
GOL (Brazil)
On Monday, Air Europa and Plus Ultra also suspended flights to the country.
These decisions reflect growing unease within the airline industry about the security environment around Venezuelan airspace.
IATA: “Venezuela’s Threat Further Isolates the Country”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing around 350 airlines worldwide, sharply criticized the Venezuelan government’s stance. According to IATA, Venezuela’s ultimatum will further undermine the country’s international connectivity, which has already deteriorated significantly in recent years due to political instability, economic decline and unresolved disputes with airlines over billions in trapped revenues.
IATA stressed that commercial aviation must prioritize safety—and that airlines have a responsibility to follow international warnings such as the FAA advisory.
Escalating Risks in the Caribbean
The FAA alert was issued amid heightened geopolitical tension:
Increased American military presence in the Caribbean
Recent U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels
Intensifying political friction between Washington and Caracas
The Venezuelan government has rejected the FAA’s warnings, accusing the United States of manufacturing a false narrative to justify military pressure.
Airlines Caught Between Safety and Diplomacy
With INAC threatening to revoke flight permits, airlines now face a difficult choice: either resume operations despite security concerns or risk a long-term ban from the Venezuelan market.
For passengers—particularly Venezuelans abroad—the situation may cause significant travel disruption, as the number of available routes into and out of the country continues to shrink.
It remains unclear whether any carriers will comply with the 48-hour demand. Industry observers say the next two days will determine whether Venezuela moves forward with its threat, further isolating its aviation sector and straining relations with key international partners.