Iberia has extended the suspension of all flights to Venezuela through to 31 December, citing persistent operational challenges in the country’s airspace.
This decision compounds widespread disruptions reported across the region, where grounded aircraft and route cancellations have left thousands of passengers, including families seeking reunion during the holidays, stranded at borders and airports.
Venezuelan authorities attributed the chaos to maintenance backlogs and fuel shortages, while Spanish carriers like Iberia prioritise passenger rebookings and refunds. The move aligns with similar precautions by other international airlines, underscoring the volatility in Latin American aviation amid economic pressures.
Travel advisories from the Spanish foreign ministry urge citizens to postpone non-essential trips to the area.
Background
United States President Donald Trump declared Venezuelan airspace closed in its entirety on 29 November, which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a notice on 21 November that warned of hazards from military activity and GPS interference. Airlines including Iberia, Air Europa, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, and TAP suspended flights to Caracas by 1 December, while the Spanish State Aviation Safety Agency advised carriers to halt routes until 1 December.
Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines and its subsidiary Wingo paused operations to Caracas on 4 December after pilots detected navigation signal issues, and Colombian airline Satena along with Boliviana de Aviacion followed on 5 December with similar suspensions due to satellite failures. Venezuelan authorities revoked operating licences for six international airlines on 28 November that had cancelled services, which left the country with air links only to Bogotá, Panama City, and some Antilles islands.
United Nations experts condemned the United States declaration on 4 December as an escalation that lacked legal basis under international law, and Iranian officials expressed support for Venezuela’s position on the same day. China and Russia resumed direct flights to Caracas and Maracaibo on 4 December, which defied the United States directive and restored some commercial routes amid claims from Venezuelan officials that the moves ended United States aviation dominance.
A United States migrant repatriation flight landed near Caracas on 3 December, and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil confirmed on 4 December that the country approved further deportation flights from Phoenix despite the airspace tensions.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticised the closure on 1 December as an illegal act that violated sovereignty, and business owners in La Guaira state reported delays in imported goods that raised costs by 15 per cent and risked shortages ahead of Christmas.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation stated on 5 December that each country controls its own airspace, but airlines conduct their own risk assessments. Flight tracking data showed that crossings of Venezuelan airspace halved since 22 November, though seven aircraft including Bolivarian Air Force planes operated on 30 November.
The United States military maintained a presence in the Caribbean, and senators introduced a war powers resolution on 3 December that required congressional approval for any strikes on Venezuelan territory. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addressed the nation on 7 December, urging citizens to prepare for potential further isolations while domestic airlines continued limited international services.
