US airlines warned of ‘potential risks’ when flying over Mexico, South America

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines on Friday to exercise caution when flying over Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing the risks of potential military activities and GPS interference.The FAA said it had issued “Notices to Airmen” covering Mexico and Central American countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia and portions of airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean.They say: “Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight.” The alerts are in effect for 60 days.Such notices are issued routinely in any region where there are hostilities nearby.Tensions between the US and regional leaders have ramped up since President Donald Trump’s administration mounted a large-scale military build-up in the southern Caribbean, attacked Venezuela and seized the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, in a military operation.08:25How Maduro’s abduction is set to change Latin AmericaHow Maduro’s abduction is set to change Latin AmericaTrump has raised the possibility of other military actions in the area, including against Colombia.