The Federal Aviation Administration has issued seven new Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) warning pilots and airlines of potential military activity and navigation risks across parts of Latin America and the eastern Pacific, urging operators to exercise added caution when flying through the affected airspace.
The NOTAMs, published on January 16, 2026, and set to expire in mid-March, cover multiple flight information regions off the coasts of Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as large sections of the eastern Pacific Ocean. While the notices do not restrict or close airspace, they warn of elevated risks that could affect aircraft at all altitudes, including during arrivals and departures.
According to the FAA, the advisories highlight the possibility of military operations and interference with satellite navigation signals. The agency warned that these conditions could pose hazards to civil aviation.
The FAA uses this type of NOTAM to alert operators to emerging risks without mandating route changes. Airlines and flight crews typically factor the information into flight planning, fuel calculations, and crew briefings, especially on long-haul routes that transit affected regions.
The warnings come amid a period of increased US military activity in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, where US forces have stepped up operations targeting drug trafficking networks. Public reports indicate that those operations have included maritime strikes and surveillance missions over several months, drawing greater attention to airspace safety in the region.
Concerns over navigation reliability also appear to be a key driver behind the notices. The FAA cited reports of GPS interference, an issue that has become increasingly common in areas with heightened military activity. Even brief disruptions can complicate flight operations, particularly in oceanic or remote airspace.
The latest advisories follow earlier FAA warnings related to Venezuela. Since 2019, US carriers have largely avoided Venezuelan airspace due to security concerns under a federal suspension order. In November 2025, the FAA issued an additional notice urging caution for flights operating in or above the Maiquetía Flight Information Region, citing deteriorating security conditions, increased military activity, and reports of navigation interference.
Mexican officials said the FAA’s warning would not affect civil aviation operations in Mexico, emphasizing that the country’s airspace remains open and secure. Airlines serving Central and South America have not announced widespread route changes tied specifically to the new NOTAMs.
The NOTAMs are scheduled to remain in effect for 60 days, though the FAA can revise or extend them if conditions warrant.
