Photo: MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP / Getty Images
Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed the Eastern Caribbean airspace, leading to significant travel disruptions. Although the airspace has since reopened, many American tourists remain stranded across the region as airlines work to accommodate the backlog of travelers.
The FAA's closure, which began on Saturday (January 3), was due to safety concerns related to military activity in Venezuela. The airspace ban was lifted at midnight Eastern time on Sunday (January 4), but the sudden halt in flights left many tourists, like Nydia Han, unable to return home. Han, an anchor for WPVI in Philadelphia, reported that she and her family were stuck in Vieques, Puerto Rico, with no available flights until Friday.
Major airlines, including American, Delta, and Southwest, have scrambled to add extra flights and larger aircraft to meet the surge in demand. ABC News reported that Delta added 2,600 seats with extra flights, while American Airlines added 7,000 seats and began operating interisland flights in the Eastern Caribbean for the first time in over a decade.
Despite these efforts, many flights remain fully booked, and some travelers have been unable to secure seats for days. CNBC noted that airlines are considering using larger planes, typically reserved for international routes, to accommodate more passengers.
