U.S. carriers, including hometown giant Delta Air Lines, moved quickly on Sunday to resume and expand flight operations to the Caribbean following widespread disruptions caused by temporary airspace closures tied to U.S. military actions in Venezuela.
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted restrictions on Eastern Caribbean airspace overnight, allowing airlines to restart service after hundreds of flights were canceled on Saturday, stranding thousands of holiday travelers.
Major U.S. Airlines Rush To Resume Flights Around Venezuela
.American Airlines led the recovery effort, announcing it had added more than 20 extra flights and approximately 5,000 additional seats across the region. The Fort Worth-based carrier deployed larger aircraft, including widebody jets, on key routes to accommodate passengers affected by the previous day’s cancellations.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, along with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, also signaled plans to bolster capacity by scheduling additional flights and upgauging to bigger planes where possible to meet surging demand from stranded travelers returning home after the New Year’s holiday period.
The most dramatic improvement was seen in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the region’s busiest hub. Cancellations plummeted from around 400 on Saturday to roughly 20 by Sunday evening, according to flight tracking data.
Flight Disruptions Galore After Military Activity in Venezuela
The disruptions stemmed from FAA-mandated airspace restrictions implemented Saturday in response to heightened military activity near Venezuela. While no U.S. carriers fly directly to Venezuela, many Caribbean routes typically overfly or skirt Venezuelan airspace.
Airlines have waived change fees and fare differences for affected passengers, and several have capped fares on remaining seats to prevent price gouging amid high demand
.Industry analysts note that while normal schedules are largely resuming, full recovery could take several days as carriers reposition aircraft and crew displaced by the sudden closures
.Delta, which operates a major Caribbean network from its Atlanta hub, stated it expects to run its full regional schedule today with minor adjustments as needed.
Travelers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight status, as residual delays and sold-out flights may persist into early next week.