Commercial air travel to and from Puerto Rico was disrupted on Saturday, January 3 after federal authorities temporarily restricted US airline operations at several Caribbean airports, citing security concerns related to escalating military activity in Venezuela.
The pause includes flights at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the Caribbean’s busiest hub, as well as airports in Ceiba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques and Culebra, according to Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz.
Acting under orders from the Federal Aviation Administration, commercial passenger and cargo operations were suspended until 1 am Sunday, January 4, with the potential for extensions.
How many flights to, from Puerto Rico were cancelled?
More than 300 flights originating and arriving on the island have been canceled since midday on January 3, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Aerostar Airport Holdings, which runs SJU, said the temporary airspace restriction stems from “a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela.” The operator warned that most flights operated by American airlines to and from San Juan were suspended or subject to cancellation, while flights by foreign airlines and military aircraft were not affected. The company encouraged travelers to check flight status directly with their airlines before going to the airport.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González described the shutdown as a national security measure during a radio interview, as reported by local news outlet El Nuevo Día. She added that local agencies were coordinating with federal partners to manage airport and cargo operations.
Travel waivers
Several US airlines have rolled out fee waivers and flexible rebooking options as airspace restrictions have disrupted flights to and from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations. Here’s what travelers need to know:
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American Airlines: Change fees are waived for customers booked by January 2nd and scheduled to travel between January 3rd and 4th, 2026, to or from affected destinations including San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), Antigua (ANU), St. Thomas (STT), St. Maarten (SXM) and more. Travel can be rebooked until January 9th, provided the origin and destination remain the same and the ticket is reissued by January 4th.
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JetBlue: Customers traveling between January 3 and 4 to or from affected airports — including San Juan (SJU), Aguadilla (BQN), Ponce (PSE), Aruba (AUA), Curaçao (CUR) and Saint Lucia (UVF) — can change or cancel flights without fares or fare differences. Rebooking is allowed until January 10th, and refunds are available for canceled flights if booked before January 3rd.
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South West Lines: Flights scheduled on Saturday, January 3, to Aruba (AUA), Punta Cana (PUJ) and San Juan (SJU) may be disrupted. Customers can rebook or travel standby within 14 days without paying a fare difference. Refunds may be available for canceled or significantly delayed flights.
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United Airlines: United is waiving change fees and fare differences for eligible tickets purchased by January 2 and scheduled for travel between January 4 and 6, 2026, to or from destinations including San Juan (SJU), Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA) and St. Thomas (STT). New travel must depart between January 6th and January 13th.
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Border Lines: Change and cancellation fees are waived for flights January 3-4 to or from San Juan (SJU), Ponce (PSE), Aguadilla (BQN), Aruba (AUA) and St. Maarten (SXM). Fare differences may still apply, and canceled trips will convert to travel credit.
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Spirit Airlines: Modification fees and fare differences are waived for flights January 3-4 to or from San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas (STT) and St. Maarten (SXM), with rebooking allowed until January 11.
Airlines advise travelers to closely monitor flight status and handle changes directly through their carrier.
Contributing: Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why flights to and from Puerto Rico were suddenly grounded