Venezuela
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
On 3 Jan 2026, the FAA briefly restricted US civil operations in the SVZM/Maiquetia FIR and parts of adjacent Caribbean FIRs following US military action in Venezuela, citing safety of flight concerns. That restriction was lifted within around 24 hours, and subsequent FAA Notams advising caution have now been fully rescinded. There are currently no FAA flight bans or cautionary advisories in effect for Venezuelan airspace. Following the Jan 3 strikes, several other states and EASA issued airspace warnings advising caution or avoidance of Venezuelan airspace and parts of the surrounding Caribbean. Those warnings reference risks including increased military activity, GPS interference, unpredictable traffic, and reduced ATC and traffic visibility.
Major Events:
Jan 2026: US conducts airstrikes in Venezuela. Intense military activity reported in Caracas. FAA issues multiple prohibition Notams affecting SVZM and adjacent Caribbean FIRs.
Late 2025: Expanded US naval and air operations in the southern Caribbean raise regional risk levels and prompt objections from Venezuela.
Nov 2025: FAA issues airspace warning for SVZM, citing GPS interference and increased military activity. Multiple international airlines suspend services or reroute.
Major Events:
Jan 2026: US conducts airstrikes in Venezuela. Intense military activity reported in Caracas. FAA issues multiple prohibition Notams affecting SVZM and adjacent Caribbean FIRs.
Late 2025: Expanded US naval and air operations in the southern Caribbean raise regional risk levels and prompt objections from Venezuela.
Nov 2025: FAA issues airspace warning for SVZM, citing GPS interference and increased military activity. Multiple international airlines suspend services or reroute.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Notam CZUL H0798/26 | 18 Feb 2026 | 19 May 2026 | |
| Portugal | Notam LPPC A0724/26 | 16 Feb 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | |
| Germany | Notam EDWW B0016/26 | 08 Jan 2026 | 27 Feb 2026 | |
| USA | FAA Information Note Venezeula | 21 Nov 2025 | Ongoing |
Source: Canada
Reference: Notam CZUL H0798/26
Issued: 18-Feb-26, valid until: 19 May 2026
Plain English: Canadian operators are advised to take potential risks posed by military activity into account before a decision to enter Venezuelan airspace.
H0798/26 NOTAMR H0456/26
Q) CZXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5243N05321W999
A) CZUL CZQM CZQX B) 2602181428 C) 2605192000EST
E) CANADIAN AIR OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN CANADA ARE ADVISED TO TAKE ALL POTENTIAL RISK INFORMATION INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROUTING DECISIONS WHEN OPERATING IN FIR MAIQUETIA (SVZM) DUE TO POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL FOR MILITARY ACTIVITY WITHIN VENEZUELA.
Q) CZXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5243N05321W999
A) CZUL CZQM CZQX B) 2602181428 C) 2605192000EST
E) CANADIAN AIR OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN CANADA ARE ADVISED TO TAKE ALL POTENTIAL RISK INFORMATION INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROUTING DECISIONS WHEN OPERATING IN FIR MAIQUETIA (SVZM) DUE TO POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL FOR MILITARY ACTIVITY WITHIN VENEZUELA.
Source: Portugal
Reference: Notam LPPC A0724/26
Issued: 16-Feb-26, valid until: 31 Mar 2026
Plain English: Portuguese operators may operate in the SVZM/Maiquetia FIR but should exercise caution, maintain an up-to-date risk assessment, and apply strong contingency planning at all altitudes. The previous avoid recommendation has been lifted.
A0724/26 NOTAMN
Q) LPXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/3100N02417W999
A) LPPC LPPO B) 2602160001 C) 2603312359
E) WHEN OPERATING INTO THE AIRSPACE OF VENEZUELA (FIR MAIQUETIA, SVZM), PORTUGUESE CIVIL AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND IMPLEMENT CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS AT ALL ALTITUDES AND FLIGHT LEVELS, MONITOR AIRSPACE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION AND FOLLOW ALL AVAILABLE AERONAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS, AS WELL AS ENSURE THAT AN UP-TO-DATE RISK ASSESSMENT IS IN PLACE TOGETHER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS AT ALL ALTITUDES OVER VENEZUELAN AIRSPACE. THIS ADVISORY IS ISSUED IN VIEW OF THE IMPROVING RISK ENVIRONMENT AFTER THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2026 AND IS VALID UNTIL 31 MARCH 2026. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IS AUTHORIZED TO DEVIATE FROM THIS ADVISORY AS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION.
Q) LPXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/3100N02417W999
A) LPPC LPPO B) 2602160001 C) 2603312359
E) WHEN OPERATING INTO THE AIRSPACE OF VENEZUELA (FIR MAIQUETIA, SVZM), PORTUGUESE CIVIL AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND IMPLEMENT CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS AT ALL ALTITUDES AND FLIGHT LEVELS, MONITOR AIRSPACE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION AND FOLLOW ALL AVAILABLE AERONAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS, AS WELL AS ENSURE THAT AN UP-TO-DATE RISK ASSESSMENT IS IN PLACE TOGETHER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS AT ALL ALTITUDES OVER VENEZUELAN AIRSPACE. THIS ADVISORY IS ISSUED IN VIEW OF THE IMPROVING RISK ENVIRONMENT AFTER THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2026 AND IS VALID UNTIL 31 MARCH 2026. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IS AUTHORIZED TO DEVIATE FROM THIS ADVISORY AS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION.
Source: Germany
Reference: Notam EDWW B0016/26
Issued: 08-Jan-26, valid until: 27 Feb 2026
Plain English: Following US airstrikes on 3 Jan, caution to German operators in Venezuelan airspace due to the potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
B0016/26 NOTAMR B0005/26
Q) EDXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/5123N01019E262
A) EDMM EDGG EDWW B) 2601081611 C) 2602272359
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN VENEZUELA CIVIL GERMAN AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROUTING DECISIONS WITHIN FIR MAIQUETIA (SVZM). POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION FROM ANTI-AVIATION WEAPONRY AND MILITARY OPERATIONS.
Q) EDXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/5123N01019E262
A) EDMM EDGG EDWW B) 2601081611 C) 2602272359
E) SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN VENEZUELA CIVIL GERMAN AIR OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE POTENTIAL RISK INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROUTING DECISIONS WITHIN FIR MAIQUETIA (SVZM). POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION FROM ANTI-AVIATION WEAPONRY AND MILITARY OPERATIONS.
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Information Note Venezeula
Issued: 21-Nov-25, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: In late 2025 Venezeula has carried out a mass mobilization of military assets, including the presence of advanced surface-to-air weaponry capable of reaching aircraft at all levels.
While no intent to target civil aviation has been announced, substantial risks exist for overflights.
In addition, there has been an increase in GPS interference in the SVZM/Maiquetia FIR with lasting effects on overflights. Jamming and spoofing may extend as far as 250nm from the source.
While no intent to target civil aviation has been announced, substantial risks exist for overflights.
In addition, there has been an increase in GPS interference in the SVZM/Maiquetia FIR with lasting effects on overflights. Jamming and spoofing may extend as far as 250nm from the source.
FAA Background Information Regarding U.S. Civil Aviation – For the Maiquetia (SVZM) Flight Information Region (FIR)
Since September 2025, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness. Some civil aircraft recently reported GNSS interference while transiting the SVZM FIR, which, in some cases, caused lingering effects throughout the flight. GNSS jammers and spoofers can affect aircraft out to 250 nautical miles and can impact a wide variety of critical communication, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment on aircraft. Additionally, since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces. While Venezuela has at no point expressed an intent to target civil aviation, the Venezuelan military possesses advanced fighter aircraft and multiple weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aircraft operating altitudes, as well as potential low-altitude risk from man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery. The FAA will continue to monitor the risk environment for U.S. civil aviation operating in the region and make adjustments, as appropriate, to safeguard U.S. civil aviation.
Since September 2025, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness. Some civil aircraft recently reported GNSS interference while transiting the SVZM FIR, which, in some cases, caused lingering effects throughout the flight. GNSS jammers and spoofers can affect aircraft out to 250 nautical miles and can impact a wide variety of critical communication, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment on aircraft. Additionally, since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces. While Venezuela has at no point expressed an intent to target civil aviation, the Venezuelan military possesses advanced fighter aircraft and multiple weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aircraft operating altitudes, as well as potential low-altitude risk from man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery. The FAA will continue to monitor the risk environment for U.S. civil aviation operating in the region and make adjustments, as appropriate, to safeguard U.S. civil aviation.