At a Glance
- FAA emergency order shut Caribbean airspace after U.S. attack on Venezuela.
- Hundreds of flights, including 29 cancellations at PHL, were grounded.
- Philly residents stranded in Aruba and Puerto Rico, unsure of return.
- Why it matters: The shutdown disrupts travel plans and highlights tensions in the region.
The FAA’s emergency shutdown of Caribbean airspace following a U.S. attack on Venezuela has left hundreds of travelers stranded, including many from the Philadelphia area who were caught off guard by sudden flight cancellations.
Impact on Philadelphia Flights
At Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) Saturday, 29 flights were canceled, 27 of which were to destinations under the no-fly zone-San Juan, Aruba, Cancun, Barbados, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten.
- San Juan
- Aruba
- Cancun
- Barbados
- St. Thomas
- St. Lucia
- St. Maarten
Nancy Colbert said:
> “We were supposed to fly out at 3:40,” she said later Saturday evening. “Our biggest thing is we don’t know when we’re going to get home, and that’s the problem.”
Noah Kilshaw said:
> “We’ve been spending all day looking for other flights,” he said. “There’s been increased police presence and patrols off shore, and you can definitely sense a bit of tension and anxiety in the air just walking around.”
Airspace Reopening and Airline Guidance
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that the restricted airspace would reopen at midnight Sunday, and an update on Thursday clarified that the restrictions expire at 12:00 a.m. ET, allowing flights to resume.
- Airlines informed; schedules updated.
- Passengers advised to check for changes.
- Disruptions could continue for days.
- Airlines warning passengers to monitor updates.
Secretary Sean Duffy said:
> “The Caribbean airspace will reopen at midnight Sunday,” he said late Saturday.
Secretary Sean Duffy updated:
> “The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00am ET and flights can resume. Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions.”
Community Reactions
Venezuelan-American residents in Philly and elsewhere are following the developments closely, with local media coverage from News Of Philadelphia.
Key Takeaways
- FAA shutdown left 29 flights canceled at PHL, affecting many Philly residents.
- Caribbean airspace set to reopen at midnight Sunday, with restrictions ending at 12:00 a.m. ET.
- Travelers should stay in contact with airlines and monitor updates as disruptions may continue.
As the airspace reopens, travelers will need to stay in contact with airlines and monitor updates, while the broader conflict continues to affect regional air travel.
