NEW YORK, United States — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a significant advisory urging airlines to exercise heightened caution when traversing airspace over Mexico, Central America, and specific oceanic regions. The notices, published on Friday, cite ongoing ‘military activities’ as the primary cause for concern, highlighting a ‘potentially hazardous situation’ that could lead to disruptions in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, which are critical for modern flight navigation.
The advisory encompasses vast areas, including the airspace over Mexico, Central American nations, Panama, and the Bogota and Guayaquil flight information regions, as well as the Mazatlan Oceanic Flight Region and parts of the eastern Pacific Ocean. An FAA spokesperson confirmed that these notices to airmen (NOTAMs) are set to remain active for a period of 60 days, indicating a sustained period of potential risk.
This development occurs against a backdrop of escalating regional military tensions. The context includes the recent January 3rd operation by U.S. special forces, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They are now facing trial on serious charges, including drug trafficking. Furthermore, statements from President Donald Trump have intensified concerns. In a recent Fox News interview, President Trump explicitly suggested plans to initiate ‘land strikes’ against powerful drug cartels operating within Mexico, a move that would constitute an unprecedented military intervention on the territory of a neighboring nation and a key U.S. trading partner. These factors collectively contribute to a volatile security environment, prompting the FAA’s precautionary measures to ensure aviation safety.