Venezuela Revokes Flight Rights for Six Airlines as Diplomatic Rift With the U.S. Deepens
Nov. 27 (Foxton News) — Venezuela has withdrawn the operating authorizations of six prominent international airlines, escalating a growing dispute with the United States and further isolating the country from major global travel corridors. The decision follows the carriers’ collective suspension of flights to Venezuelan destinations after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning advising commercial aircraft to exercise heightened caution when flying over the nation’s airspace.
The Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) issued the revocations late Wednesday, formally stripping flight rights from Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, LATAM Airlines Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas. All six airlines had halted service in recent days, prompting Caracas to follow through on the cancellation threats it issued earlier in the week.
The decision significantly erodes Venezuela’s already-limited international connectivity. Several of the affected countries—Spain, Colombia, and Brazil—host some of the world’s largest Venezuelan diaspora communities. Many migrants rely heavily on direct commercial flights for visiting family, sending goods home, and facilitating cross-border business engagements. With these routes suspended, travelers now face longer, more complicated journeys that may require additional layovers in Panama, the Dominican Republic, or the Caribbean.
Rising Hostility Between Venezuela and the United States
The revocation comes amid a period of sharply worsening relations between Caracas and Washington. In a strongly worded statement, Venezuelan authorities accused the six carriers of siding with the United States by “participating in acts of state terrorism” and “unilaterally abandoning commercial responsibilities” through their suspension of service. The Maduro government has long asserted that U.S. federal agencies routinely interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs, and the latest aviation dispute has provided a fresh flashpoint.
The tensions intensified after the FAA issued a public notice last week cautioning American and foreign airlines about potential threats when flying in or near Venezuelan airspace. The advisory referenced a “degrading security environment” and “increased military maneuvers” across the region, raising concerns about possible risks to commercial aviation.
The Venezuelan government pushed back, arguing that the FAA had no legal jurisdiction over Venezuelan skies and accusing Washington of manufacturing a security pretext to justify broader geopolitical movements. The notice coincided with reports that the U.S. military has expanded deployments in the Caribbean, claiming the buildup is part of operations aimed at countering narcotics trafficking. U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of facilitating drug movements that endanger American lives—accusations Caracas vehemently rejects. Maduro, in response, has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration of seeking regime change.
This clash over aviation safety has therefore become another chapter in a long-standing political and ideological struggle. For Venezuelan leadership, the airlines’ decision to act on the FAA warning is viewed as evidence of foreign pressure undermining the country’s sovereignty. For the carriers, the move was a matter of protecting crews and passengers in uncertain security conditions.
Airlines Face Dilemma After Venezuela’s Ultimatum
Earlier in the week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed that Venezuela had delivered an ultimatum to all international carriers: resume suspended flights within 48 hours or risk losing air service rights. The six airlines that saw their permissions revoked either ignored or declined to comply with the demand, citing neutral safety concerns rather than political motivations.
Their responses emphasized the difficulty of operating in an environment where regulatory expectations, diplomatic tensions, and safety alerts intersect.
Iberia’s Position
Spain’s flagship airline, Iberia, explained that it remained interested in continuing service to Caracas but stressed that flights would only resume once the airline could guarantee fully safe operational conditions. Iberia has a long history of connecting Spain and Venezuela, serving thousands of transatlantic travelers annually. Its suspension adds a major setback for mobility between Europe and Venezuela.
Avianca’s Approach
Colombian airline Avianca released a statement indicating that it intended to reboot service to Caracas on December 5, pending reassessment of conditions. However, the carrier did not comment directly on the Venezuelan government’s punitive measures. Colombia is home to one of the largest Venezuelan migrant populations in the world, making flight interruptions particularly disruptive for families split between the two countries.
Portugal Reacts
Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel openly criticized the Venezuelan government’s action, calling the revocations “wholly disproportionate.” Portugal, home to TAP Air Portugal—one of the affected carriers—has attempted through diplomatic outreach at its embassy in Caracas to persuade Venezuelan authorities to reinstate the permits. Despite TAP having halted flights, the airline has traditionally served as a crucial link between Europe and Venezuela’s sizeable Portuguese community.
Notably, two other European airlines—Air Europa and Plus Ultra—had previously suspended some services but did not have their rights revoked, suggesting that Venezuela’s reaction may be tied to the timing or manner of each carrier’s decision to suspend flights.
Turkish Airlines and GOL
Turkish Airlines, one of the leading carriers connecting Venezuela with the Middle East and other parts of the world, also saw its operations halted. GOL, one of Brazil’s largest airlines, lost access to a route that has become increasingly important as economic migration from Venezuela to Brazil has grown.
Remaining Airline Operations and Regional Impact
While the revocations represent a severe blow to Venezuela’s international accessibility, not all foreign airlines have withdrawn. Panama’s Copa Airlines—a major regional connector—and its low-cost subsidiary Wingo continue to operate flights, maintaining one of the last reliable commercial corridors linking Venezuela to the broader Americas. These airlines have long served as essential hubs for Venezuelans traveling to North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
A handful of domestic carriers also continue service to nearby countries such as Colombia, Panama, and Curaçao. However, these routes cannot compensate for the lost capacity and international reach offered by major carriers such as Iberia, Turkish Airlines, and LATAM. Fewer flights into and out of Venezuela mean higher prices, longer travel times, and limited options for travelers who rely heavily on air mobility.
The broader economic impact is significant. Reduced air connectivity can hinder tourism, complicate business travel, and impede humanitarian efforts tied to the Venezuelan crisis. Additionally, airlines have historically faced financial obstacles in Venezuela due to issues with currency controls and unpaid ticket revenues, making the aviation market particularly fragile.
A Volatile Aviation Landscape
The events of recent weeks underscore the fragility and politicization of air travel in the region. What began as a safety advisory has evolved into a diplomatic conflict, with airlines caught between regulatory obligations and geopolitical tensions. For Venezuela, the revocations serve as a demonstration of governmental resolve against what it perceives as foreign interference. For airlines, safety remains paramount, but decisions carry unavoidable political consequences.
As of now, Venezuela remains deeply isolated by air, relying on a shrinking number of foreign connections. The restoration of service depends on both improvements in perceived security and broader diplomatic shifts between Venezuela, its neighbors, and the global aviation community.
In the meantime, travelers and diaspora communities bear the brunt of the fallout—facing uncertainty, limited options, and the challenge of navigating an increasingly restricted travel environment.
