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The FAA has issued warnings for airlines flying over parts of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, citing increased military activity and potential risks to civilian aircraft amid escalating US military operations.
Getting into it: The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which was issued on Friday, includes seven advisories covering airspace over Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and stretches of the Pacific Ocean adjacent to those nations. The FAA warned that “potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes,” affecting overflights, arrivals, and departures, and advised US pilots to “exercise caution” in the designated regions. The warnings will remain in effect through March 17, signaling a potentially prolonged phase of military activity across the region.
The advisories come as the United States continues to intensify its military footprint in Latin America, particularly following its January 3 attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump has since hinted at the possibility of further military operations targeting drug cartels, including potential strikes in Mexico (a proposal that has been pushed back on by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum). While Sheinbaum has said she’s open to cooperation with the United States, she has made it clear that foreign military intervention in Mexico is neither necessary nor welcome.
In response to the FAA advisories, major US airlines have taken a cautious but non-committal stance. United Airlines stated it is “monitoring the situation,” while Southwest Airlines confirmed it remains in close contact with federal authorities and will adjust operations if needed. Delta deferred inquiries to the FAA, and neither JetBlue nor American Airlines issued public comments.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s civil aviation authority downplayed the implications of the advisories, stating that the warnings apply solely to US-registered aircraft and do not require operational changes within Mexican airspace, characterizing the FAA’s move as a preventive measure rather than a formal restriction.
