Air TransportUS carriers restore Puerto Rico and Caribbean flights after airspace restrictions lifted
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Frontier Airlines restarted scheduled flights to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations on Sunday after the US Federal Aviation Administration lifted temporary airspace restrictions prompted by US military actions in Venezuela.
The FAA had imposed the restrictions on Saturday, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations and affecting thousands of travelers throughout the region.
The measures expired at midnight Eastern Time, according to US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
“Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions,” Duffy wrote on social media.
United Airlines resumed service to San Juan on Sunday and added extra departures to accommodate impacted customers. Delta Air Lines also reinstated flights throughout the Caribbean and rebooked affected passengers as schedules normalized. Frontier Airlines confirmed a return to normal operations.
Airlines waived change fees and fare differences for passengers whose travel was disrupted, provided they rebooked within the month. More than a dozen regional airports participated in these waiver policies.
The temporary restrictions followed US strikes in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as noted by US President Donald Trump. “The strikes resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife,” Trump said.
Caribbean and Puerto Rican markets are key for US carriers, with United and Delta operating substantial frequencies from multiple US gateways. FAA airspace closures have previously affected regional travel, but such disruptions are uncommon and typically of short duration.
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