Venezuela has revoked the operating rights of six international airlines after a political and security dispute escalated this week between Caracas and Washington. The move cuts off access to Venezuelan airspace for Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, GOL, LATAM, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines.
The action follows several days of rising tension after the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice warning of a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region. The FAA alert cited increased US military activity in the Caribbean and urged airlines to avoid operating in or near Venezuelan airspace. In response, the six carriers suspended flights to Caracas while they evaluated the security environment and monitored US operations.
On Monday, November 25, 2025, Venezula’s National Institute of Civil Aeronautics issued a 48-hour ultimatum directing the airlines to resume flights or face the loss of their permits. When the deadline expired with no change in the carriers’ operations, the government canceled their landing and takeoff rights.
The dispute widened as new reports emerged about recent US actions in the region. According to public statements cited by international media, US forces have carried out strikes against vessels that American officials describe as drug-carrying boats. The BBC reported that the United States has targeted at least 21 boats and that more than 80 people have been killed in those operations. These events increased concern among airlines about the security risk around Venezuelan airspace.
Several carriers said they intend to restore service when conditions improve but have not set a timeline. They also emphasized that suspending operations was a safety-driven decision, not an attempt to withdraw permanently from the Venezuelan market. For airlines with long-standing routes to Caracas, the loss of access creates both operational and commercial challenges as they work to reroute passengers or issue refunds.
Governments in the affected countries began responding as well. Portugal’s foreign ministry called Venezuela’s action disproportionate and said it would pursue a diplomatic resolution through its embassy. Other nations signaled they may also engage with Caracas to seek reinstatement of their airlines’ rights.
For now, Venezuela has not indicated when or whether it will reverse the ban. The restrictions leave the country further isolated from major international carriers at a time when aviation links across the region were already strained by political tensions and shifting security conditions.
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