FAA Issues Aviation Advisories
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued seven Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) advisories on Friday afternoon. These advisories instruct airlines to exercise caution for the next 60 days when flying over specific areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America. The affected regions include parts of Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and sections of airspace over the Pacific Ocean. The advisories are effective through March 17.
Potential risks for aircraft exist at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight. The FAA specified the risk of “military activities” and interference with satellite-positioning and navigation systems as the basis for these warnings.
Background on Regional Tensions
Tensions between the United States and countries in Central and South America have increased following the Trump administration's expansion of a U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean. Previous incidents include two midair close calls between U.S. military aircraft and passenger jets off the coast of Venezuela last month. These events occurred subsequent to U.S. actions against alleged drug trafficking boats and the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. A later military action against Venezuela prompted the FAA to temporarily restrict flights throughout the Caribbean, leading to flight cancellations.
President Donald Trump has previously discussed the possibility of additional military actions in the region, including against Colombia, and has suggested U.S. control of the Panama Canal. Last week, Trump indicated he would consider military strikes on Mexican territory to target drug cartels.
Airline and National Reactions
U.S. airlines are monitoring the situation and regularly adjust flight plans based on safety notices such as NOTAMs. As of Saturday morning, no U.S. airlines had issued public statements or specific travel advisories concerning flights in the region. United Airlines stated it is monitoring the situation. Southwest Airlines is in communication with the U.S. government regarding activities in the region and plans to follow applicable contingency procedures if necessary. Delta Air Lines directed inquiries to the FAA. American Airlines and JetBlue Airways did not provide comments.
Mexico's civil aviation authority issued a statement clarifying that the FAA’s notice applies exclusively to U.S. aircraft and does not require operational changes for aviation within Mexico. The authority characterized the notice as a preventive advisory, not a flight prohibition, and stated it has no impact on civil aviation in Mexico.
Reported demand for travel insurance increased immediately following the United States’ action in Venezuela.