NEW YORK — Air travel is gradually returning to normal following a U.S. military operation that targeted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which led to significant disruptions in the Caribbean over the weekend.

In response to the travel chaos, American Airlines is increasing its seating capacity in the Caribbean by adding flights and deploying larger aircraft, providing an additional 3,000 seats. Similarly, JetBlue has announced plans to restore its regular flight schedule in the region.

ALSO READ: Caribbean holiday travel disrupted by Maduro’s capture

Data from Flightradar24 over the weekend highlighted a notable lack of air traffic, with the eastern Caribbean experiencing unusually sparse activity due to the situation.

Airlines were forced to cancel more than 1,000 flights across the United States on Saturday. These cancellations were influenced by the closure of Caribbean airspace and compounded by adverse weather conditions.

Puerto Rico was not exempt from these disruptions, facing its own set of challenges as the situation unfolded.

Video captures the roads in San Juan leading to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport being nearly empty. There were also few people at the departures drop-off point. Inside the airport, there was some activity, but no one going through security. Many would-be passengers did not need to check their flight status, as information and status signs read “cancelled.”

On Saturday, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport announced on social media that a temporary restriction of airspace had been issued under the Federal Aviation Administration’s orders, including the region of Puerto Rico, following the military activity in Venezuela.

As a result, most commercial flights to and from the airport operated by American Airlines were suspended or temporarily cancelled. Foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in this restriction.

Even after the U.S. lifted its air space closure set after Maduro’s capture in Venezuela, many remain stranded across the Caribbean as airlines scramble to add flights and get people home.

WPVI-TV anchor and reporter Nydia Han says her family, along with many others, are stuck in Puerto Rico after they we were supposed to fly straight from San Juan back to Philadelphia on Sunday night.

“Unfortunately, because of Maduro’s capture and airspace being closed, we are stuck here in Vieques” according to Han in a video she shared with ABC.

Adding that there’s no plan in sight to return home until at least Friday. “That’s what we’re being told right now by the airlines,” said Han.

Despite the anxious mood in the air, Han says she does feel safe and is simply hoping to get home soon for the sake of her children.

Officials continue to advise passengers to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before arriving at the airport.

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