Flight risk: FAA issues urgent warnings for Latin American airspace amid military tensions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a series of critical warnings on Friday, January 16, 2026, advising airlines to exercise extreme caution when flying over Central and South America. The 60-day advisory cites heightened risks from unannounced military activities and widespread GPS interference.

Scope of the Warnings

The Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) cover a vast area of strategic airspace, reflecting the expanding volatility in the region:

• Primary Regions: Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.

• Airspace Segments: Specific sectors of Central America and significant portions of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

• Operational Risks: The FAA warned that military aircraft may operate at or below standard cruising altitudes without activated transponders or prior notice.

Geopolitical Context: “Operation Absolute Resolve“

The advisories follow a period of intense military escalation by the Trump administration in early 2026:

• Venezuela Intervention: On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces launched “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a large-scale strike on Caracas that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

• Regional Threats: Tensions have since spread, with President Trump suggesting potential strikes against land targets in Mexico to combat drug cartels and raising the possibility of military action in Colombia.

• Mid-Air Near Miss: Safety concerns were amplified by a recent incident where a JetBlue passenger jet had to take evasive action to avoid a U.S. Air Force tanker flying with its transponder turned off near the Venezuelan coast.

Impact on Aviation

The ongoing military activity has already caused significant disruption to civilian travel:

• Cancellations: Following the initial strikes in Venezuela earlier this month, the FAA briefly imposed a “hard stop” on Caribbean flights, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of services by major carriers.

• GPS Interference: Pilots have reported increased instances of GPS “spoofing” or jamming, which can compromise navigation systems during critical phases of flight.

The FAA NOTAM

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KICZ A0012/26 NOTAM…SECURITY…UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ADVISORY FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN THE OVERWATER AREAS ABOVE THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN THE CENTRAL AMERICA FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (MHTG)

U.S. OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING IN THE OVERWATER AREAS ABOVE THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN THE CENTRAL AMERICA FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (MHTG) DUE TO MILITARY ACTIVITIES AND GNSS INTERFERENCE. POTENTIAL RISKS EXIST FOR AIRCRAFT AT ALL ALTITUDES, INCLUDING DURING OVERFLIGHT AND THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PHASES OF FLIGHT.

THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.

REFER TO THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION NOTICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR U.S. CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE AT HTTPS://
WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS.

REPORT ANY SAFETY/SECURITY INCIDENTS OBSERVED/EXPERIENCED WHILE OPERATING IN THE AFFECTED AIRSPACE TO THE FAA’S WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT +1 (202) 267-3333.

SFC-UNL: 16 JAN 1549 UTC 2026 UNTIL 17 MAR 2359 UTC 2026. CREATED: 16 JAN 1650 UTC 2026