In the early hours of 3/1 (US time), Washington launched a military operation, apprehending Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas, Venezuela's capital. According to FlightRadar24, no commercial flights traversed the South American nation's airspace that day due to restrictions imposed by the US. However, major airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region. The most affected were round-trip flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba, and more than ten other destinations in the Lesser Antilles island group north of Venezuela.

Major US airlines canceled flights to and from the eastern Caribbean on 3/1 due to these restrictions and adjusted their schedules. Approximately 215 flights operated by New York-based JetBlue were canceled "due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity".

A JetBlue aircraft parked at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Carolina, near San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 3/1. *Photo: Reuters*

Dutch airline KLM also had to cancel numerous flights, affecting thousands of passengers. Similarly, Canada's WestJet canceled flights to the southern Caribbean island of Aruba out of "caution".

Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, implemented restrictions due to "security concerns related to military activity" in Venezuela. Nearly 60% of all arriving and departing flights were canceled on 3/1, according to FlightAware.

Airlines offered free ticket changes for passengers forced to reschedule their flights. They also warned that disruptions could last for several days, as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed restrictions.

In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated that "the consequences of the conflict have caused severe disruption to two gateways", including airports and seaports where cruise ships depart.

This past weekend marked the end of the 13-day peak holiday travel period in the US. However, many tourists were still trying to extend their relaxation time on tropical Caribbean beaches before returning to colder weather.

In Puerto Rico, Lou Levine and his wife, along with their three children, were scheduled to return to Washington DC on the morning of 3/1, but JetBlue canceled their flight. The airline rebooked their family for 10/1, turning their one-week vacation into two. While Lou Levine could work remotely, his daughter would have an additional week off school.

"I love it here [Puerto Rico], but I have to pay for dog and cat sitting, and car rental. It's okay overall, but it's hitting my wallet", he said. The Levine family hoped to book an earlier flight home.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the restrictions would conclude at midnight eastern time. Airlines could resume normal operations on 4/1.

Southwest Airlines added 6 round-trip flights to Puerto Rico and two flights to Aruba on 4/1, along with 8 additional round-trip flights the following day to bring vacationers home. KLM expected to resume flights to and from Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, and other islands on Sunday.

Officials at Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba—a popular resort destination for US tourists, located 24 km off the coast of Venezuela—anticipated operations would soon return to normal.

By Phien An (according to AP)