Barbadian authorities are intensively monitoring the implications of a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warning against passenger flights over Venezuela, citing deteriorating security and “potentially hazardous” military activity near the northern city of Maiquetia.
The advisory remains in effect until February 19 next year but officials in Bridgetown insist there is currently no cause for concern for Barbadian travellers.
The FAA advisory cites a worsening security environment and increased Venezuelan military activity.
The notice to all airmen, known as a NOTAM, will remain in effect through February 19.
In Bridgetown, the authorities gave assurances to Barbadians travelling within the region that there is no need to be worried at the moment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds describes the latest development as exaggerated threats by both countries.
“We are aware. At this point, this is largely sabre-rattling by both sides and there’s no new intelligence to lead to further advisory actions,” Symmonds told Barbados TODAY.
“[Regarding the] general aviation travel, at this point, all flights are subject to mandatory air traffic control precautions and restrictions within the geographical area,” he added.
Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Tracey Forde-Bailey, said Barbados has taken note of the situation, which at this stage does not affect the country.
Forde-Bailey told Barbados TODAY on Wednesday: “The NOTAM… what it does is it provides technical advice to the USA carriers. They are asking operators to exercise caution when operating within Venezuelan airspace in the Maiquetia region, and that region is managed by the Venezuelan authority. So, at this time, all we can do is take note of this activity within that area.”
She also suggested that Guyana, which shares boundaries with Venezuela, would cause authorities to pay closer attention, especially for airlines flying there.
“Any unusual activity within the region would be of interest to every state having boundaries adjacent to Venezuelan airspace,” the civil aviation chief said. But at this time, all we can do, as I mentioned before, is to take note of the activity.”
The FAA also now requires US operators to “provide at least 72-hours’ advance notice of planned flights to the FAA, with specific flight details.”
It also directs crews to report any observed security issues to the agency’s Washington, DC-based operations centre.
“Operators are advised to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela,” according to the NOTAM. The agency said threats “could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground.”
A background statement released the same day as the NOTAM details recent operational hazards. Since September, the agency said there has been “an increase in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region… as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuelan military readiness.”
GNSS jammers and spoofers may affect aircraft “out to 250 nautical miles” and disrupt communication, navigation and surveillance systems.
The FAA added that Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and mobilised thousands of personnel, increasing risk despite no stated intention to target civil aviation.
US carriers have already been barred from operating to and from Venezuela since 2019, when the US Department of Transportation suspended services after the Department of Homeland Security determined that “conditions in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew”.
The FAA said it will continue monitoring the hazard environment and adjust advisories as necessary.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
The post US warns of heightened risks over Venezuela amid military build-up appeared first on Barbados Today.
