Commercial air travel to and from Puerto Rico was disrupted on Saturday, January 3, after federal authorities temporarily restricted U.S. airline operations at several Caribbean airports, citing security concerns related to escalating military activity in Venezuela.
Norberto Negrón Díaz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Port Authority, said the suspended flights include those at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the busiest hub in the Caribbean, as well as at Seba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques and Culebra airports.
Under an order from the Federal Aviation Administration, commercial passenger and cargo operations are suspended until 1 a.m. on Sunday, January 4, with the possibility of extension.
How many flights to and from Puerto Rico have been cancelled?
As of noon on January 3, more than 300 flights to and from the island had been canceled, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Aerostar Airport Holdings, which manages SJU, said the temporary airspace restrictions stem from “the security situation related to military activities in Venezuela.” The operator warned that most flights to and from San Juan operated by U.S. airlines have been suspended or canceled, while flights by foreign airlines and military aircraft are not affected. The company urges travelers to check flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González called the shutdown a national security measure in a radio interview, local news outlet El Nuevo Día reported. She added that local agencies are coordinating with federal partners to manage airport and cargo operations.
travel exemption
As airspace restrictions disrupt flights to and from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations, several U.S. airlines have introduced fee waivers and flexible rebooking options. Here’s what travelers need to know:
-
American Airlines: Change fees will be waived for passengers who booked before January 2nd and plan to depart to or from affected destinations on January 3rd and 4th, 2026, including destinations such as San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), Antigua (ANU), St. Thomas (STT), St. Martin (SXM), etc.). Travel can be rebooked until January 9th if the origin and destination remain the same and the ticket is reissued before January 4th.
-
JetBlue Airways: Passengers traveling to or from affected airports, including San Juan (SJU), Aguadilla (BQN), Ponce (PSE), Aruba (AUA), Curacao (CUR) and St. Lucia (UVF)) on January 3 and 4 can change or cancel their flights without paying any fees or fare differences. Rebookings are allowed until January 10, and canceled flights can be refunded if booked before January 3.
-
Southwest Airlines: Flights to Aruba (AUA), Punta Cana (PUJ) and San Juan (SJU) may be disrupted on Saturday, January 3. Passengers can rebook or standby travel within 14 days without paying the fare difference. Refunds may be available for flight cancellations or severe delays.
-
United Airlines: United waives change fees and fare differences for eligible tickets purchased before January 2 and scheduled to depart January 4-6, 2026 to and from destinations such as San Juan (SJU), Antigua (ANU), Aruba (AUA) and St. Thomas (STT). New trips must depart between January 6th and January 13th.
-
Frontier Airlines: Change and cancellation fees are waived for flights to and from San Juan (SJU), Ponce (PSE), Aguadilla (BQN), Aruba (AUA) and St. Maarten (SXM) on January 3-4. Fare differences may still apply, and canceled trips may be converted into travel credits.
-
spirit airlines: Change fees and fare differences are waived for flights to and from San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas (STT) and St. Martin (SXM) on January 3 and 4, and can be rebooked until January 11.
Airlines advise travelers to closely monitor flight status and manage changes directly with the carrier.
Contributed by Rebecca Morin, USA Today
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why flights to and from Puerto Rico were suddenly grounded
Your blog has helped me become a better version of myself Your words have inspired me to make positive changes in my life