A significant military operation by the United States on March 9, 2024, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, led to widespread disruptions in Caribbean travel. On that day, no airline flights were permitted to cross Venezuelan airspace, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enacted restrictions that caused major airlines to cancel hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean, affecting popular destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba.
The cancellations came just as many travelers sought to return from their vacations during a peak holiday period. Airlines, including JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, reported that disruptions could persist for several days. In response, they waived change fees for affected passengers. By the evening of March 9, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that flight restrictions would be lifted at midnight EST, allowing airlines to resume regular operations the following day.
Airlines Respond to Travel Disruptions
To assist stranded travelers, Southwest Airlines added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on its schedule for March 10, along with another eight round-trips on March 11. The airline also included two additional flights to Aruba on March 10. At the Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba, officials anticipated a return to normal operations following a day of cancellations that left many travelers unable to fly.
In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley addressed the situation during a news conference, highlighting the significant disruptions at both the airport and the seaport, which impacted cruise ship operations. In Puerto Rico, traveler Lou Levine faced challenges when his family’s flight back to Washington, D.C., was canceled. After struggling to reach JetBlue by phone, the Levines utilized social media to secure a new flight, converting their week-long holiday into a two-week stay. Levine expressed concern over the additional expenses incurred during this unexpected extension.
Broader Impact on Caribbean Travel
This weekend was already past the peak of a 13-day holiday period, during which AAA projected that approximately 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home. Despite the disruptions, many travelers were still eager to enjoy the Caribbean before returning to colder climates. A AAA spokesperson noted that the region remains a top destination during this season, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about travel conditions.
An announcement from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, confirmed that restrictions were implemented due to the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela. Nearly 60% of all flights to and from this airport were canceled on March 9, as per data from FlightAware.com. Notably, foreign airlines and military aircraft were not subject to these restrictions.
While most major U.S. airlines canceled flights across the eastern Caribbean, airlines operating farther west, such as those to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, were generally unaffected. JetBlue reported canceling about 215 flights due to airspace closures, while Dutch airline KLM also canceled flights affecting thousands of passengers but planned to resume services to various islands the next day.
The disruptions extended to travelers booked on Caribbean cruises as well. Virgin Voyages, a cruise operator, announced that airline passengers unable to make it to San Juan for scheduled departures would receive full credit for future trips.
As Caribbean travel resumes, airlines are working to accommodate passengers impacted by the recent turmoil, while travelers are encouraged to remain vigilant and informed as they navigate their journeys.
