Early on March 9, 2024, a US military operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, significantly disrupting travel across the Caribbean. According to FlightRadar24.com, no airline flights were permitted to cross Venezuelan airspace, resulting in widespread cancellations and delays at a peak travel time for the region. Major airlines scrapped hundreds of flights to and from various Caribbean destinations, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose restrictions that would affect travelers for days.
Airlines including JetBlue and Southwest Airlines canceled flights to popular locations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba, along with over a dozen other destinations in the Lesser Antilles. Many airlines announced they would waive change fees for passengers needing to reschedule their travel plans.
By Saturday evening, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the FAA restrictions would conclude at midnight EST, allowing airlines to resume normal operations. In response, Southwest Airlines added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico and two additional flights to Aruba on Sunday, aiming to accommodate stranded travelers.
The situation at Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba, a favored holiday destination just 15 miles from Venezuela’s coast, reflected the chaos, with officials anticipating a return to normalcy following a day of canceled flights. In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley acknowledged the severe impact of the military operation on travel, stating that “the consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry.”
Travelers expressed frustration as they faced unexpected changes to their itineraries. Lou Levine, a resident of the Washington, DC area, was set to return home with his family when they learned their flight had been canceled. After contacting JetBlue multiple times, they managed to secure a new flight, extending their vacation to two weeks. Levine noted the financial strain of additional expenses for dog-sitting and car rentals, while also highlighting the impact on his children’s schooling.
The timing of the disruption was particularly unfortunate, as many travelers sought to enjoy the Caribbean as the holiday season drew to a close. Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for AAA, indicated that approximately 122.4 million Americans were expected to travel during the peak holiday period, with many still trying to squeeze in last-minute trips before returning to work and school.
Following the announcement from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, nearly 60% of all flights to and from the airport were canceled due to “the security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela. Notably, foreign airlines and military aircraft were exempt from these restrictions.
While airlines like Air Canada reported that their Caribbean flights were operating normally, WestJet canceled flights to Aruba as a precaution. JetBlue confirmed the cancellation of approximately 215 flights due to airspace closures linked to the military operation. Dutch airline KLM also canceled flights affecting thousands but announced plans to resume service to various Caribbean islands on Sunday.
The disruptions extended beyond airline travel, impacting passengers booked for Caribbean cruises as well. Virgin Voyages offered full credits for future trips to those unable to make their cruise departures due to flight cancellations.
As the situation stabilizes, travelers are urged to stay informed and monitor updates from airlines regarding their flight statuses. The Caribbean remains a highly sought-after destination, and the travel industry is working diligently to restore normalcy following this unexpected disruption.
