Venezuela Revokes Permits For Six International Airlines

On November 21, 2025, the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) advising civilian aircraft/operators to exercise caution when flying in or near the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM). Airlines flying into and over the region took note, either re-routing aircraft around Venezuelan airspace, or canceling flights all together.

On November 24, Venezuela’s Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC) responded by issuing an ultimatum to carriers operating to South American country, giving them 48 hours to resume service or have their permits revoked.

So said, so done. On November 26, INAC followed up by canceling the permits of six international airlines. In a statement (translated), they said:

On November 26, 2025, the revocation of the operating licenses of the following airlines was published in Official Gazette No. 43264 of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela:

• Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España S.A. (Iberia)
• Transportes Aéreos Portugueses S.A. (TAP Portugal)
• Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. (Avianca)
• Aerovías de Integración Regional S.A. (LATAM Colombia)
• Turkish Airlines
• GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. (GOL)

This revocation was due to their participation in the acts of state terrorism promoted by the United States government, which unilaterally suspended their commercial air operations to and from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela based on a NOTAM issued by an Aeronautical Authority lacking jurisdiction in the Maiquetía FIR.

INAC has made strong claims, justifying the permit revocations on the basis that the airlines supported the United States in committing acts of state terrorism.

Other foreign carriers such as Copa Airlines, Boliviana de Aviación, Plus Ultra and Air Europa have opted to continue operating in and out of Venezuela, even though some are allowing passengers to make date and route changes to their tickets without penalty.

Now that these six airlines have been banned from flying into Venezuela, the South American country will face a dramatic reduction in international capacity from countries including Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Colombia.

It will be interesting to see if these countries counter with reciprocal revocations as a number of Venezuelan carriers operate flights to Brazil, Colombia, Portugal and Spain.

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