FAA Issues Warning to Pilots Regarding Eastern Pacific Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised U.S. airline pilots to avoid flying over certain areas in the eastern Pacific. The agency highlighted concerns about “military activity” and potential satellite navigation interference near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America.

This caution comes in the form of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) released by the FAA on Friday. They specified that “potential risks exist to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and during the arrival and departure phases of a flight.”

The FAA’s advisory covers designated regions in Mexico and Central America, along with maritime flight areas of Panama, Bogotá, Guayaquil, and Mazatlán, as per information shared with USA Today.

The reason behind this advisory for aircraft operators to “exercise caution” remains somewhat unclear. There has been a query sent to the FAA for more insights.

Interestingly, this warning follows months after a U.S. military operation targeted vessels suspected of drug trafficking in both the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Earlier in November, the FAA had cautioned all pilots about flying over Venezuela due to a declining security situation and heightened military presence.

In a related incident last December, JetBlue flights from the Caribbean had to halt their climbs to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker.

Recently, the Trump administration implemented a series of policies aimed at addressing and capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. President Trump mentioned in an interview with Fox News that the U.S. plans to intensify operations against drug cartels, stating that they’ve already eliminated a significant portion of drugs flowing through waterways. He’s also noted an intention to shift focus to land routes. It’s a complex situation, really, especially considering the ongoing issues in Mexico.

The latest FAA advisory is set to stay in effect for 60 days.