Airspace alert in the Caribbean

Airspace alert in the Caribbean

22-11-25

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a precautionary notice for aircraft operators flying in the airspace over the island of Puerto Rico, warning of a “potentially hazardous situation” linked to an increase in military operations in the area. This advisory, registered under NOTAM code A0010/25, has been in force since 18 November 2025 and will remain active until 16 February 2026.

The notice is directed specifically at the San Juan Flight Information Region (FIR TJZS), which covers essential air routes for both commercial and tourism flights to and from Puerto Rico. Although the FAA has clarified that no restrictions have been imposed on commercial flight routes, the mere issuance of such a communication signals heightened vigilance and a geopolitical context that may cause concern among airlines and travellers alike.

The origin of the alert is linked to a recent increase in military exercises carried out around Puerto Rico. For example, units of the United States Marine Corps have conducted training that included amphibious landings and infiltration operations, as part of a broader deployment of U.S. forces in the Caribbean. In this context, the FAA has deemed it necessary to use the identifier “KCIZ”, reserved for high-level national security communications.

From a tourism perspective, this announcement carries particular weight. Puerto Rico is a destination that depends heavily on air connectivity and on international perceptions of safety. While operations remain “normal”, according to aviation supervisors, the publication of this advisory alone can create a negative perception among travellers, agencies, and airlines, potentially affecting booking intentions and itinerary planning. Sector experts have noted in previous instances that precautionary notices of this kind, even without formal restrictions, can impact confidence in key source markets.

At the same time, the measure poses challenges for destination management. At a moment when the tourism industry is striving to recover and surpass pre-pandemic levels, such signals can influence recovery timelines and competitiveness in relation to other Caribbean destinations that are not facing similar alerts. Factors such as perceived stability, operational continuity, and clear, timely information play an increasingly important role in international travellers’ choices.

For airlines and flight operators, the notice requires reinforced operational coordination, closer monitoring of developments in the military and security environment, and proactive management of potential change scenarios. Because the San Juan region also serves as a corridor for international and connecting flights, any alteration could have cascading effects on air traffic logistics to other Caribbean islands and neighbouring territories.

For Puerto Rican authorities and tourism stakeholders, the priority is to communicate transparently and proactively that the FAA advisory—serious as it may be—does not amount to an operational restriction or an airspace closure. According to local media, the governor has stressed that commercial air activity remains active and that the manoeuvres observed “are not different from what has happened before”, although she acknowledges that the volume of activity has increased. It is crucial that this message also reach tourism source markets in order to prevent alarmist interpretations and mitigate any potential negative impact on the destination’s image.

This episode highlights how security, geopolitics, and defence factors can influence tourism even in the absence of direct conflict. In an interconnected world, where the travel experience also encompasses the global perception of a destination, such alerts acquire strategic significance. For Puerto Rico, this marks a period of strategic vigilance, in which safeguarding air operations cannot be separated from ensuring peace of mind for visitors and effectively communicating its operational normality to the international community. In this context, the tourism industry, authorities, and airlines face the shared challenge of maintaining traveller confidence while keeping sight of the operational and security considerations that triggered this new warning.

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