Exclusive Report | Eastern Pacific Airspace Faces Heightened Risk Amid U.S. Military Operations
By Amizhthu News International Desk
London, England — 20 January 2026
“FAA Issues 60‑Day Alert as Military Operations and GPS Disruptions Intensify Over Eastern Pacific”
In‑Depth Report
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a rare and sweeping 60‑day advisory warning pilots of heightened military activity and potential GPS interference across vast stretches of the eastern Pacific Ocean, including airspace adjacent to Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and major oceanic corridors used by commercial carriers. The warning, published through a series of KICZ security NOTAMs, urges all U.S. operators to exercise “extreme caution” when transiting the region.
According to the FAA, the advisory covers all altitudes, affecting aircraft during overflight, arrival, and departure phases. While such notices are not unprecedented, the scope and timing of this alert reflect escalating tensions and ongoing U.S. military operations in the region.
Background: A Region Under Strain
The FAA’s warning follows nearly four months of U.S. military strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, which U.S. officials allege were involved in drug trafficking operations. Government sources confirm 35 documented strikes, resulting in at least 115 fatalities, and culminating in a large‑scale operation against Venezuela earlier this month.
During that operation, U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, transporting them to New York to face federal drug‑trafficking charges. The move has sharply intensified diplomatic tensions across Latin America.
Regional governments, including Mexico, have responded cautiously. Mexico’s aviation authority clarified that the FAA’s notice applies only to U.S. operators and does not restrict Mexican airspace or domestic carriers.
Operational Risks: Military Aircraft and GNSS Interference
1. Military Aircraft Operating Without Transponders
The FAA highlighted the risk posed by military aircraft conducting operations without active transponders—making them invisible to civilian radar. A recent incident underscored the danger:
A JetBlue Airbus A320 was forced to halt its climb near Venezuelan airspace after a U.S. Air Force tanker crossed its flight path at the same altitude with its transponder switched off.
The JetBlue pilot reported the near‑collision as “outrageous,” according to ATC recordings.
2. Rising GPS Interference and Spoofing
The FAA also warned of GNSS (GPS) interference, including jamming and spoofing—an increasingly common hazard in conflict‑adjacent regions.
A 2024 IATA safety report cited a 500% increase in GPS spoofing and a 175% rise in satellite interference year‑on‑year.
Such disruptions can cause:
- Sudden loss of GPS signal
- False positional data
- Increased ATC workload
- Navigation uncertainty during oceanic crossings
The FAA’s NOTAMs emphasize that operators must prepare for degraded navigation environments and implement robust contingency planning.
Scope of the FAA’s NOTAMs
The advisories, effective 16 January to 17 March 2026, apply to multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including:
| FIR / Region | Hazard | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico FIR (MMFR) | Military activity + GNSS interference | 16 Jan – 17 Mar 2026 |
| Central America FIR (MHTG) | Military activity + GNSS interference | 16 Jan – 17 Mar 2026 |
| Mazatlán, Bogotá, Guayaquil OFRs | Military activity + GPS interference | 16 Jan – 17 Mar 2026 |
The FAA stresses that these are advisory, not prohibitive, but strongly recommends conservative routing.
Airlines Respond
Major U.S. carriers, including United Airlines, have confirmed they are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting flight planning as needed.
The FAA previously restricted flights across the Caribbean following the Venezuela operation, causing widespread cancellations and stranding thousands of passengers.
Geopolitical Context
The advisory comes amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean and renewed threats by President Donald Trump to take action against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia.
Analysts warn that increased military presence, combined with navigation interference, creates a volatile environment for civil aviation.
Conclusion
The FAA’s 60‑day advisory marks one of the most significant airspace warnings issued for the eastern Pacific in recent years. With military operations ongoing, regional tensions rising, and **GPS interference escalating**, pilots and airlines face a complex and rapidly evolving risk landscape.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates from the FAA and regional authorities are expected in the coming weeks.
