Airlines Avoid Venezuelan Airspace Following US-Backed Closure | By Dominick Andoh
Commercial airlines operating to and within Latin America are avoiding Venezuelan airspace following a US-backed airspace closure, forcing carriers to make longer detours that are increasing flight times and operating costs, aviation data shows.
Flight tracking footage from FlightRadar24 indicates that civilian and commercial aircraft have almost entirely rerouted around Venezuelan airspace since Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Aircraft operating between North America, the Caribbean, and several South American destinations are diverting eastward over the Atlantic or westward via Central America to bypass Venezuela altogether.
The avoidance of Venezuelan airspace is already affecting airlines’ operations, particularly those operating long-haul and high-frequency regional services.
The detours add some distance to flight paths, resulting in higher fuel burn, extended crew duty times, and potential knock-on effects on schedules and aircraft utilisation.
For carriers operating narrowbody aircraft on intra–Latin America routes, longer routings may also affect payload limits, especially on sectors approaching the upper limit of aircraft performance.
Wide-body operators flying between North America and the southern part of South America are similarly affected, with some flights recording noticeable increases in block time.
Airspace restrictions have become an increasingly common challenge for global aviation in recent years, forcing airlines to continuously adapt routing strategies in response to geopolitical developments. T
The situation over Venezuela mirrors similar disruptions seen in other parts of the world, where restricted or closed airspace has reshaped traditional flight corridors and increased costs across the industry.
While airlines have not issued formal statements on the Venezuelan situation, the operational impact is evident in real-time flight data.
Airlines Avoid Venezuelan Airspace Following US-Backed Closure | Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com | Adverts: WhatsApp +233 243376878
Your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. Your writing is both insightful and thought-provoking, and I always come away from your posts feeling inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. It’s clear that you put a lot of thought and effort into each piece, and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.
Hey there You have done a fantastic job I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends Im confident theyll be benefited from this site