Major U.S. airlines on Saturday canceled hundreds of flights following a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. American Airlines, Delta, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways began cancelling flights early on Saturday morning in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration airspace closures in the Caribbean.

Many American travelers chose to visit Puerto Rico and the Caribbean over the holiday season, and they could face extreme difficulty returning to the United States. United States military operations in Venezuela have disrupted normal flight patterns,

Secretary Sean Duffy said restrictions on air travel would expire at midnight and airlines "will update their schedules quickly."

A temporary FAA airspace restriction over Puerto Rico, linked to military activity in Venezuela, has caused major flight cancellations and disrupted Caribbean cruise travel.

Travelers were stranded after the FAA abruptly halted flights to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, forcing overnight waits and frantic rebooking.

Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region following the U.S. military operation and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, The Associated Press reported.

Newark to Santiago de Compostela – launching May 22, 2026. The airline will be the first U.S. carrier to provide nonstop flights to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with three weekly flights from Newark.

Travelers whose flights are canceled for any reason are entitled to a full refund if they either decide not to fly or refuse compensation like credits or vouchers, according to the Department of Transportation. If they do continue with their journey, then they're entitled to penalty-free rebooking.