“Everything seems to indicate that the suspension is related to security issues due to the U.S. military operations to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean. We hope this situation evolves quickly because we are just a month away from Christmas and fear inconveniences,” explained a passenger.
With a trip planned for December 18, Juan Gonçalves mentioned having two acquaintances whose trips to Lisbon were canceled, and he awaits TAP’s next steps. “No matter how understandable and justifiable, a cancellation causes inconvenience, and we are already close to Christmas,” he emphasized.
Two individuals whose flights were canceled refused to comment but insisted they wanted to be placed on the next available flights. “I purchased the ticket more than six months ago, now I just want to travel and see my family,” stressed one of the affected passengers.
Several travel agents, who requested anonymity, explained that people understand the “gravity of the situation,” particularly “the need to ensure the crew and passengers’ safety.” However, despite passengers’ concerns, no new cancellations are planned. “There are two canceled flights, and the Saturday, November 29 flight is closed, not allowing reservations. Passengers unable to travel should be transported that day (…) Currently, flights from December 2 are available, and there are seats available for the coming month,” a travel agent explained.
Another agent specified that since November, for safety reasons and to avoid the crew having to overnight in Caracas, TAP has made a technical stopover in Pointe-à-Pitre on the island of Guadeloupe. This change has extended the flight time between Portugal and Venezuela to 10.5 hours from 8 hours, with aircraft departing Maiquetía two hours later.
TAP canceled flights TP170 on Saturday and the following Tuesday to Venezuela following information from U.S. aviation authorities regarding security in the country’s airspace, the company stated. In a message, TAP explained that the decision “results from information issued by U.S. aviation authorities, indicating that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace, particularly in the Maiquetía flight information region, are not guaranteed.”
It added that “all passengers have been informed of the cancellation and may request a refund if they wish,” expressing regret over “the inconvenience caused” by a decision “aimed at ensuring passenger and crew safety.”
Besides TAP, other carriers such as Spain’s Iberia, Colombia’s Avianca, Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean, Brazil’s Gol, and Chile’s Latam have suspended their flights to Venezuela since Saturday.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning on Saturday advising commercial flight operators to “exercise caution” when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean, citing “a potentially hazardous situation in the region.” “Operators are recommended to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetía flight information region [corresponding to Venezuelan-controlled airspace, including parts of the southern and eastern Caribbean] at all altitudes, due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity in and around Venezuela,” the FAA statement noted.
Since August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the area, featuring half a dozen warships, officially to combat drug trafficking destined for the United States. Venezuela accuses Washington of using the drug trafficking pretext “to impose a regime change” in Caracas and seize its oil.
