An old Venezuelan saying states that “fear is free,” a truth that surfaces in various ways, including Maduro’s decision to restrict Venezuela’s airspace between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. across the entire territory.
It has been revealed that Nicolás Maduro’s criminal regime, feeling besieged by the U.S. operation “Southern Lance,” which is deployed in the Caribbean, particularly off the coast of Venezuela.
This restriction applies to all types of flights, whether private, commercial, or military, with the only exception being international commercial flights.
Additionally, mandatory and continuous communication requirements with multiple air traffic control centers (ACC Maiquetía, Torre de Santo Domingo, and Torre de San Fernando) have been imposed, emphasizing the need for ongoing coordination between civil and military air traffic services.
Notice to Aviators
A notice to aviators, known as NOTAM, identified as SVMI C01342/2025, issued by SVZM, specifically the Maiquetía airport, communicates the operational restrictions for general civil aviation, including overflights and crossing certain areas.
It specifies four Exclusion Zones (N 5, N 6, N 7, and N 8) using precise geographical coordinates. The order lists terminal control areas (CTA) and communication frequencies affected by these restrictions. The notice establishes conditions for prior coordination with Civil/Military Air Traffic Control and applies from the surface to unlimited altitudes.
The order states that these restrictions are valid from September 4, 2025, to December 1, 2025, active 24 hours a day (H24).
ParámetroValorDescripciónNOTAM NumberC01342/2025Unique identifier of the notice for the year 2025.Affected FIRSVZMMaiquetía Flight Information Region.Start Date (UTC)25090421534September 4, 2025, at 21:53 UTC.End Date (UTC)25120123591December 1, 2025, at 23:59 UTC.Operating HoursH24The restriction is active 24 hours a day.Lower LimitSFCSurface (Surface).Upper LimitUNLUnlimited (Unlimited).
Operations for general aviation (GA) are restricted, including overflights and area crossings within the specified coordinates.
The central purpose of the NOTAM is to implement severe operational limitations for a specific sector of aviation.
Restricted operations: operations for Civil General Aviation (GA CIV) are restricted. This explicitly includes overflights and crossing designated areas.
Justification: the stated reason for implementing these restrictions is military operations (DUE OPS MIL).
Vertical scope: the restricted area encompasses the entire vertical airspace, from the surface (SFC) to unlimited altitude (UNL).
Four exclusion zones (numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8) are defined by geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). No civil aircraft may fly, overfly, or cross these zones.
The restrictions directly impact traffic on various established air navigation routes (airways). The affected routes and segments are as follows:
W17: Segment PTC/SFD
W7: Segment SFD/DEVUS
W26: Segments GARCI/METAS, RIECI/AUC, and AUC/KIKAS
W29: Segment RIECI/ILMIL
W23: Segment ILMIL/CTN
G300: Segment AUC/CTN
A550: Segment KIKAS/CTN
These routes are included in the restriction, specifying which checkpoints and routes will not be available for civil aviation.
Military operations are permitted, and it is mentioned that civil/military flights must contact designated control centers (Maiquetía ACC/Sectors, Torre de Santo Domingo, Torre de San Fernando) on specific frequencies (128.7MHz, 118.15MHz, and 122.3MHz).
The restriction applies to the surface (SFC G) without an upper limit (UNL), and no civil aircraft will be allowed to operate, cross, or overfly the exclusion areas identified in the NOTAM during the specified period.
Only military operations or those with special authorization will be able to enter these areas. Pilots must verify frequencies and coordinate with air traffic control services before operating near these zones.