The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday cautioned U.S. aircraft operators to exercise vigilance while flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean, specifically near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The agency cited military activities and potential interference with satellite navigation systems as the reasons for the alert.
The FAA issued the warning through a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), which are routinely disseminated in regions with nearby hostilities. These notices, effective for 60 days, indicate that potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight.
These warnings follow nearly four months of U.S. military actions against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific, which the U.S. government alleged were involved in drug trafficking. According to the Trump administration, this campaign included 35 known strikes that resulted in at least 115 fatalities.
The FAA issued a similar warning in November, advising pilots to exercise caution when flying over Venezuelan airspace due to a deteriorating security situation and increased military activity. This followed a large-scale U.S. strike across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on January 3.
The FAA's NOTAM system is a critical component of aviation safety, providing pilots with timely information about potential hazards along their flight paths. These hazards can range from temporary obstructions to navigation aids to military exercises and security concerns. The agency relies on various sources, including military authorities and intelligence agencies, to gather information for these notices.
The potential for satellite navigation interference raises concerns about the reliability of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) used by aircraft. Such interference can stem from jamming or spoofing activities, which can disrupt or falsify positioning data, potentially leading to navigational errors.
The FAA's advisory underscores the complex interplay between military operations, geopolitical tensions, and civilian aviation safety. As military activities become increasingly sophisticated and geographically dispersed, the risk of unintended consequences for civilian aircraft grows, requiring constant vigilance and proactive measures by aviation authorities. The agency continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
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