On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a cautionary advisory to U.S. aircraft operators flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. This alert is due to “military activities” that may interfere with satellite navigation in these regions.
This advisory is part of a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) distributed by the FAA, highlighting potential risks for aircraft at all altitudes. These concerns are pertinent to various phases of flight, including overflight and during arrivals and departures. The warnings are valid for a period of 60 days, a standard precaution in areas experiencing nearby conflicts.
The background of these notices ties back to a series of U.S. military operations targeting drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific. Over the past four months, these operations have resulted in 35 known strikes, reportedly causing the deaths of at least 115 individuals, according to statements from the Trump administration.
Previously, in November, the FAA had already issued a warning to pilots about the risks associated with flying over Venezuelan airspace. This was due to escalating security concerns and increased military activity in the region.
Escalating the tension further, on January 3, the United States executed a “large-scale strike” in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. This operation led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently taken to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges.
Adding to the series of incidents, a JetBlue flight originating from Curaçao in December had to abruptly halt its ascent to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker, underscoring the heightened alert and the need for vigilance in affected airspaces.
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