US President Donald Trump's warning to airlines and pilots to be aware that Venezuelan airspace"will remain completely closed" has increased uncertainty for passengers with pending trips to or from Spain, as they express in their continuous inquiries on social media.

For the moment, Spanish airlines are still waiting to see if the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) will extend the warning it issued on November 24 – in effect until this Monday – to avoid flying to the area, although Air Europa has already announced the cancellation of its two Madrid-Caracas flights on December 2.

In fact, in response to travelers' questions directed to Air Europa's official account on X, the airline posted the following message this Saturday:"At this time, flights to/from Venezuela are canceled until December 2nd. If the situation in Venezuela does not improve, flights will continue to be canceled."

In order for users to readjust their plans, Air Europa has enabled special conditions such as free date changes on its flights until February 28, 2026, inclusive; free route change to or from Medellín and Bogotá (Colombia) or Panama; a voucher or a refund.

Iberia

In the case of Iberia, the company has issued a"flexibility" of flights.

A group of people wait at Simón Bolívar International Airport this Saturday in Maiquetía, Venezuela. Photo EFE

Thus, if you fly between November 24, 2025, and January 31, 2026, to/from Caracas on flights operated by Iberia, and you purchased your ticket online or through Serviberia by November 26, you can change your booking date to travel until February 28.

Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Transport and the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) of Venezuela announced their decision to revoke the license of Iberia, as well as that of the Portuguese airline TAP, the Colombian airline Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines and the Brazilian airline Gol.

But the full extent of this revocation, which would limit Venezuela's already severely diminished air connectivity, remains to be seen.

EAE Business School professor Romà Andreu points out that the fact that Iberia - like Air Europa or Plus Ultra - has suspended its flights to Venezuela is due to the notification ('notam', in aeronautical jargon) from the Spanish aviation authority, which specifies the risk of flying in that area.

Therefore, the suspension of flights to that country"is the right measure to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft and crews," argues this expert, who believes that, in time,"everything will ease up."

Plus Ultra

For their part, sources at Plus Ultra emphasize that they are currently following the recommendation of the Spanish aeronautical authority, and are awaiting the extension (or not) of said 'notam' to evaluate in real time.

The last two planes from Caracas landed in Madrid on November 24th, one from Air Europa and the other from Plus Ultra. Since then, there have been no more regular flights between the two countries.

Flight cancellations could affect around 15,000 passengers per week, according to industry sources, especially at this time of year, when travel between both sides of the Atlantic is more intense due to the approach of Christmas.

Source: EFE

PB