FAA Suspends U.S. Travel to Puerto Rico. Here's When Flights Will Be Available Again
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration or FAA has suspended travel to Puerto Rico's airport, stranding college sporting teams, tourists and other people who are trying to make it to the island or back home.
The announcement came in the wake of the U.S. action in Venezuela. The San Juan airport posted a statement on X. "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport informs that, by order of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA), a temporary airspace restriction has been issued that includes the Puerto Rico region, as a result of a security situation related to military activity in Venezuela," the airport wrote on January 3.
Puerto Rico was not listed on the FAA's list of closed airports, however. Almost 60% of the flights at the airport were cancelled (about 200 flights) on January 3, according to FlightAware, as foreign aircraft were not all affected. Another 11 flights were delayed. Flights were also restricted at airports in Ceiba, Aguadilla, Ponce, Isla Grande, Vieques and Culebra, according to USA Today.
When Will You Be Able to Fly Into or Out of Puerto Rico Again?
(Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP via Getty Images) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo
There is an end in sight to the flight suspensions. In a statement, the executive director of the Ports Authority, Norberto Negrón Díaz, said that, "on orders from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), commercial flights would remain suspended until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday" January 4, according to Elnue Vodia.
“Consonant with the FAA guideline, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport has ceased commercial operations, both passenger and cargo, until early morning, Sunday. This could cause a dislocation on flights to and from the east, the main airport in the Caribbean. Faced with this, the Ports Authority is monitoring the situation very closely,” said Negrón Díaz, to Elnue Vodia.
Most Commercial Flights to and From San Juan Are 'Suspended' or 'Temporarily Cancelled'
COMUNICADO OFICIAL
— Aeropuerto SJU (@AeropuertoSJU) January 3, 2026
Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU)
El Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín informa que, por disposición de la Administración Federal de Aviación de los Estados Unidos (FAA), se ha emitido una restricción temporal del espacio aéreo que… pic.twitter.com/RphtXGtU3b
The airport warned people not to expect flights out of or into the Marin airport. "As a consequence, most commercial flights to and from SJU operated by U.S. airlines are suspended or may be temporarily canceled," the airport wrote.
"Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction. Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport," added the airport. "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport will continue to provide any official updates as they become available."
Elnu Vodia wrote, "The Luis Muñoz Marín international airport, in Isla Verde, temporarily restricted on Saturday most commercial flights operated by U.S. airlines and departing from and to San Juan."
The FAA also closed airspace for other Caribbean destinations, and many of the top U.S. airlines did offer flight waivers.
- Find Delta's flight waiver information here.
- You can find United’s travel waiver information here and American Airlines’ information here.
- JetBlue is also offering flight waivers.
Several college athletic teams were among those who had travel plans to Puerto Rico disrupted. The suspensions "disrupted training trips for several collegiate swimming & diving programs," according to Swim Swam.