Commercial air travel to and from Puerto Rico was disrupted on Saturday, Jan. 3 after federal authorities temporarily restricted U.S. airline operations at several Caribbean airports, citing security concerns related to escalating military activity in Venezuela.
The pause includes flights at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the Caribbean’s busiest hub, as well as airports in Ceiba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques and Culebra, according to Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz.
Acting under orders from the Federal Aviation Administration, commercial passenger and cargo operations were suspended through 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, with the potential for extensions.
Over 300 flights originating and arriving to the island were canceled as of midday Jan. 3, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Aerostar Airport Holdings, which manages SJU, said the temporary airspace restriction stems from “a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela.” The operator warned that most flights operated by U.S. airlines to and from San Juan were suspended or subject to cancellation, while flights by foreign airlines and military aircraft were not affected. The company urged travelers to check flight status directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González described the closure as a national security measure during a radio interview, as reported by local news outlet El Nuevo Día. She added that local agencies were coordinating with federal partners to manage airport and cargo operations.
Several U.S. airlines rolled out fee waivers and flexible rebooking options as airspace restrictions disrupted flights to and from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations. Here’s what travelers need to know:
Airlines advise travelers to monitor flight status closely and manage changes directly through their carrier.
Contributing: Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY
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