The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a sweeping safety alert Friday, warning pilots of potential hazards when flying over Venezuela due to escalating regional tensions and increased military activity [[1]]. The alert, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), cites concerns ranging from deteriorating safety standards to deliberate interference with GPS signals, impacting both international and domestic flights. While flights to and from Venezuela are not currently prohibited, the FAA is requiring increased vigilance and reporting from U.S. operators entering Venezuelan airspace, a move coinciding with a significant U.S. military presence in the Caribbean.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a high-level safety alert Friday warning air operators worldwide of potential risks within Venezuelan airspace. The alert, known as a NOTAM (KICZ A0012/25), pertains to the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR) (SVZM), which controls air traffic from Simón Bolívar International Airport and encompasses all of Venezuelan territory and portions of the southern Caribbean.
The FAA’s warning, effective as of 5:43 p.m. UTC on Friday, November 22, 2025, and currently valid through February 19, 2026 – with the possibility of extension – explicitly cites a “potentially hazardous situation” for civil aviation at all altitudes, including aircraft on the ground at Venezuelan airports. This alert signals increased caution for international and domestic flights operating in the region.
According to the FAA, the risks include a significant deterioration in safety standards, a marked increase in military activity within Venezuela and surrounding areas, and persistent interference with GNSS/GPS signals – including jamming and spoofing – first detected in September. The agency also warns of potential threats to civil aircraft at any stage of flight, potentially from portable air defense systems (MANPADS) or misidentification.
While the NOTAM does not prohibit flights – Maiquetía Airport remains operational with a limited number of commercial routes – it requires U.S. operators to provide 72 hours’ notice for any operations within the FIR and to immediately report any incidents. The move underscores growing concerns about the safety of air travel in the region.
The FAA alert comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, marking the most significant military escalation since 2019. This includes the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Caribbean, anti-drug operations involving confrontations with Venezuelan vessels, and repeated Venezuelan government claims of incursions by F-35 fighter jets near the Maiquetía FIR.
As of late Friday, neither the Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) nor the Ministry of Transportation had issued an official statement regarding the U.S. alert. The lack of immediate response from Venezuelan authorities could further fuel concerns among international carriers.
