The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a precautionary advisory to US airlines regarding potential risks when flying over Venezuela, citing a ‘worsening security situation and heightened military activity.’ The notice, released on November 21, requires airlines to provide 72 hours’ advance notice of planned flights but does not impose a complete ban on overflights. Ramesh Lutchmedial, former director general of civil aviation and a Newsday columnist, emphasized that this measure is a standard precaution in conflict-prone areas and does not signal imminent military action. He highlighted that the FAA’s advanced aerial navigation and intelligence systems enable it to assess such risks effectively. Lutchmedial also noted that US airlines are permitted to transit Venezuelan airspace under the International Air Transit Agreement (IATA), which includes over 170 signatory nations, including the US, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago (TT). He cited examples of no-fly zones in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Syria, where hostilities have led to similar restrictions. Lutchmedial stressed that the advisory is a routine safety measure, allowing the FAA to evaluate flight paths and advise airlines accordingly. Should the situation escalate, designated no-fly zones could be established. The FAA’s notice comes amid ongoing US-Venezuela tensions in the southern Caribbean, marked by recent US military strikes targeting suspected narco-traffickers and the deployment of naval assets, including the USS Gerald R Ford strike group. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported the US anti-narcotics efforts but assured that TT would not serve as a launchpad for any attack on Venezuela.
Lutchmedial: FAA warning on flights over Venezuela airspace, a pre-caution
