Aviation Safety and Airlines

The FAA issued a safety advisory and NOTAM warning of a “worsening security situation” over Venezuela — citing heightened military activity, increased GNSS interference since September 2025 (with jammers/spoofers that can affect aircraft up to 250 nm), and potential low‑altitude threats such as MANPADS and anti‑aircraft artillery — and asked operators to give at least 72 hours’ notice before flying through the Maiquetia (SVZM) FIR. In response, multiple carriers (including LATAM, Caribbean Airlines, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, TAP, GOL, and U.S. carriers that have stopped overflying the country) suspended flights while others (Copa, Air Europa, PlusUltra, LASER, Wingo) continue service; former President Trump also posted that the airspace should be considered “closed,” a statement he lacks legal authority to make that has drawn political criticism and raised concerns about escalation.