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FAA Issues Warnings Over Potential Hazards in Central American and Eastern Pacific airspace
Published: 2026/01/17 03:38:59
The U.S. federal Aviation Governance (FAA) issued warnings on friday, January 16, 2026, to air operators regarding potentially hazardous situations in airspace over the Colombian Pacific and Central America. These warnings cite military activity and potential interference with navigation systems, specifically Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
Alert Details and affected Regions
The FAA’s alerts apply to specific regions near Mexico, Central america, and South America, urging pilots and airlines to exercise extreme caution.The warnings cover a 60-day period, beginning January 16, 2026, and extending thru March 2026.
According to an FAA spokesperson,the affected areas include:
- Mexico
- Central America
- Panama
- Bogotá Flight facts Region (FIR)
- Guayaquil FIR
- Mazatlán Oceanic flight Regions
- Eastern Pacific airspace
potential Risks to Aviation
The FAA warnings highlight potential dangers to aircraft at all altitudes,including during takeoff,landing,and en route phases of flight. The primary concerns are related to military activities and GNSS interference,which could disrupt satellite-based navigation systems. This interference could stem from intentional jamming or unintentional signals affecting GPS accuracy.
Experts suggest the warnings may indicate the presence of unauthorized or uncommunicated military aircraft operating in these regions,potentially flying without active transponders. GNSS interference can lead to inaccurate positioning data, potentially causing deviations from flight paths and increasing the risk of mid-air collisions or controlled flight into terrain.
U.S.Military Operations in the Region
The FAA warnings coincide with ongoing U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation Southern Lance,a counter-narcotics initiative. This operation includes the interdiction of suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Eastern Pacific, sometimes involving the summary destruction of these vessels near the Colombian coast. U.S. Southern Command provides updates on Operation Southern Lance.
Additionally, recent reports indicate U.S. military involvement in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife,Cilia Flores,in Caracas on January 3,2
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