Major airlines were cautioned by the US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday about a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela.
The "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela" were mentioned in the FAA advisory, which also stated that threats could endanger airplanes at all altitudes. The largest aircraft carrier in the US Navy, at least eight more vessels, and F-35 planes have all been part of the significant American military buildup in the area in recent months.
Boats purportedly transporting drugs that have left the coastlines of Venezuela and other Latin American nations have been bombed by the government of US President Donald Trump.Since 2019, US passenger and cargo carriers have stopped operating direct flights to Venezuela; nevertheless, some US airlines still fly over the nation on certain trips to South America.
In October, American Airlines ceased operating flights over Venezuela, the airline announced on Friday. According to Delta Air Lines, it ceased operating over Venezuela "a while ago." United Airlines did not respond right away.
The directive does not forbid flights over the nation, but it does compel US airlines to provide the FAA at least 72 hours' notice of scheduled flights.
In addition to "activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness," the FAA reported that since September, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System interference in Venezuela, which in certain cases resulted in lasting effects throughout a flight.

The FAA stated that "Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces," but that Venezuela has never indicated that it intended to attack civil aircraft.
According to the CIA, there was a possible low-altitude risk from air defense systems and anti-aircraft artillery, and the Venezuelan military had sophisticated fighter planes and several armament systems that could approach or surpass the operating altitudes of civil aircraft.
The risk environment for US civil aircraft operations in the area will continue to be monitored, according to the FAA.