November 22, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a critical security advisory warning U.S. air carriers and commercial operators to exercise "extreme caution" when flying through the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR), a vast area covering Venezuela and parts of the southern Caribbean.
The advisory, transmitted via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) identified as KICZ NOTAM A0012/25, cites a significant deterioration of the security situation and heightened military activity within the region as the primary concerns.
While the FAA has stopped short of closing the airspace, the elevated warning level underscores growing apprehension regarding the safety of commercial flights operating near or over Venezuelan territory.
Risks at All Altitudes
The NOTAM specifies that the risks are not limited to low-altitude operations, warning that potential threats exist for aircraft at all altitudes. Among the specific hazards cited by the agency is the potential for sophisticated technical disruptions.
"Operators are advised that sustained heightened military activity and an unstable security environment pose risks to civil aviation," the advisory states. "Specific concerns include general security risks, as well as the documented threat of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, which can severely impact aircraft navigation and communication systems."
The Maiquetía FIR (designated SVZM) is a crucial operational area for international traffic connecting North and South America. The caution applies to the entirety of this air traffic control zone.
Strict Operational Requirements Imposed
The security advisory is effective beginning November 21, 2025, and is scheduled to remain in force until February 19, 2026.
In addition to mandating "extreme caution," the FAA has imposed new administrative burdens on U.S. operators wishing to traverse the region, requiring significantly more advanced planning. All U.S. air carriers and commercial operators planning flights through the SVZM FIR must now submit detailed flight plans, including aircraft and crew manifest information, at least 72 hours in advance of the planned operation.
This requirement is intended to give U.S. authorities ample time to assess flight risk and coordinate with international partners, though it poses logistical challenges for spontaneous or rapidly scheduled commercial charters.
Context of Regional Instability
The FAA’s decision aligns with similar actions taken by aviation regulators globally, who have periodically raised concerns about the stability of Venezuelan airspace amid ongoing political and economic crises. Heightened security advisories are often triggered by reported unauthorized use of military-grade radar, aggressive military exercises, or credible intelligence concerning the spread of jamming capabilities.
Aviation safety analysts suggest the timing of the advisory reflects intelligence about intensified, though unspecified, military posturing in the months leading into the new year.
The advisory serves as a strong recommendation, but compliance is mandatory for all U.S.-registered aircraft and U.S. operators under standard FAA regulations. Foreign carriers are also expected to take note of the U.S. posture as they evaluate their own risk assessments for the potentially volatile region.