NEW YORK — Flights are getting back on track after the U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro disrupted Caribbean air travel over the weekend.
American Airlines is adding 3,000 additional seats by adding flights and using larger planes in the Caribbean region. JetBlue says it expects to resume normal operations as well.
ALSO READ: Caribbean holiday travel disrupted by Maduro’s capture
Flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and other destinations near Venezuela were canceled.
A look at air traffic from Flightradar24 shows empty airspace over the weekend. There was minimal activity across the eastern Caribbean.
Airlines cancelled over 1,000 flights nationwide on Saturday in part due to the Caribbean airspace closures, as well as other factors like weather.
Meanwhile, there were also issues in Puerto Rico.
Video captures the roads in San Juan leading to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport being nearly empty. There were also few people at the departures drop-off point. Inside the airport, there was some activity, but no one going through security.
Many would-be passengers did not need to check their flight status, as information and status signs read “cancelled.”
On Saturday, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport announced on social media that a temporary restriction of airspace had been issued under the Federal Aviation Administration’s orders, including the region of Puerto Rico, following the military activity in Venezuela.
As a result, most commercial flights to and from the airport operated by American Airlines were suspended or temporarily cancelled. Foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in this restriction.
Officials continue to advise passengers to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before arriving at the airport.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
