FAA restricts airspace off the southeast coast of Ceiba amid U.S.-Venezuela tensions
The FAA, acting under Department of Defense direction, has issued a NOTAM establishing temporary flight restrictions over a sea corridor off the southeast coast of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, for special security reasons. The restriction runs through November 1, 2026, and comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela.
The FAA, acting under the direction of the Department of Defense, has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) establishing temporary flight restrictions over a sea corridor off the southeast coast of Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
The restrictions are in effect for "Special Security Reasons" and come amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The restricted airspace covers a narrow corridor over the sea from approximately 18°11'07"N to 17°52'20"N, from 2,500 feet MSL up to and including 5,000 feet MSL, and remains in effect through November 1, 2026.
Only Department of Defense participating aircraft operating under DoD direction are authorized in the airspace. All other aircraft entering or exiting the restricted area must be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete transponder code, squawking the code prior to departure and at all times while inside the TFR, and must remain in two-way radio contact with ATC.
Airspace near Puerto Rico sits along corridors used for flights between the U.S. mainland and destinations further south, so restrictions of this kind can prompt rerouting even when the restricted zone itself is narrow. Operators and dispatchers with flights planned through the Ceiba area should check the NOTAM's coordinates, altitude limits and time window directly against their routing.