FAA Issues Alert for Central, South America and Eastern Pacific Airspace, Citing Potential Military Activities

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a warning to U.S. airline pilots about potential risks when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The advisory, released Friday through a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), cites “potential military activities” and satellite navigation interference as primary concerns.

“Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight,” the FAA stated in its advisory. The notices specifically cover “specified areas of Mexico, Central America, Panama, Bogota, Guayaquil, and Mazatlán Oceanic Flight Regions, and in airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean.”

The FAA has instructed aircraft operators to “exercise caution” while flying through these regions, though the agency has not publicly specified what prompted these advisories. The notices will remain in effect for 60 days, indicating a sustained period of potential concern.

This warning comes against the backdrop of escalating U.S. military operations in the region. In recent months, U.S. forces have conducted numerous strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in both the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Southern Command has released footage documenting some of these precision strikes on narcotics vessels reportedly operated by designated terrorist organizations.

The timing of these advisories is particularly notable following the Trump administration’s recent military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This high-profile operation marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to combating drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations in the region.

President Donald Trump has signaled that these operations represent just the beginning of an expanded campaign. In early January, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that the U.S. has “knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water,” and added that his administration is “going to start now hitting land.” Trump further noted that “the cartels are running Mexico, it’s very sad to watch and see what’s happened to that country,” suggesting that future operations may extend beyond maritime interdictions.

This is not the first time the FAA has issued warnings about airspace in this region. In November, the agency cautioned pilots about flying over Venezuela “due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity.” The potential dangers of these conditions were illustrated in December when a JetBlue flight from Curaçao had to abruptly halt its ascent to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker.

The aviation warnings reflect growing concerns about security and safety in a region that serves as a critical air corridor for commercial flights connecting North and South America. Airlines operating in the region will need to incorporate these advisories into their flight planning procedures, potentially leading to route adjustments or enhanced monitoring protocols.

The escalating military operations against drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific represent a significant shift in U.S. policy toward more direct intervention. Aviation experts note that such military activities can create unpredictable conditions for commercial air traffic, particularly when operations may involve unannounced exercises, surveillance activities, or interdiction efforts.

For the aviation industry, these warnings create additional challenges in a sector already dealing with rising fuel costs, staffing issues, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Airlines may need to implement contingency planning for routes that typically traverse these areas, potentially leading to longer flight times and increased operational costs.