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The U.S. attack on Venezuela over the weekend and its resulting airspace closures greatly affected civil aviation in the Caribbean region at the end of the busy holiday travel season. Passengers stranded due to cancelled flights placed a sudden strain on the aircraft charter market, which was already working at near capacity over the weekend following the New Year’s celebrations.
On Saturday, Signature Aviation noted that “Commercial and general aviation activity was either significantly reduced or canceled depending on aircraft registration and routing,” and added that several of its locations in the Caribbean “are currently at or near capacity on ramp space and once restrictions are lifted, arrival accommodations will be heavily limited.”
Industry commentator Preston Holland, co-host of the VIP Seat podcast, told AIN he has heard that the current earliest estimates for charter flight availability would be tomorrow, with some operators quoting prices as high as $60,000 for a flight from the affected area —including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands—to Miami.
There are reports that several brokers looking to corner the market bought up charter capacity over the weekend to put it out to bid to those holiday travelers trying to return home.
“Prices have doubled while availability has shrunk significantly, with permitting being the main issue,” explained Jason Firestone, president of charter marketplace operator Flyhouse’s private client group. “It has been extremely difficult to get anything out of Puerto Rico, and even when progress is made, timelines keep getting pushed back. The situation remains very fluid, though today there appears to be a slight opening.”
“While there are no active notams that should impact flight operations today, each Caribbean port and location seems to be struggling with the influx of demand, changes, and diversions from the reopening of the airspace,” added Jet Linx executive chairman Jamie Walker. “While we understand demand out of the area has created a spike in pricing by some operators, our hourly rates remain fixed and guaranteed for our Jet Linx members, and there are no price increases.”