Pilots and Airlines Cautioned Amid Elevated Risks in Eastern Pacific and Latin America

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued seven new Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) warning pilots and airlines of potential military activity and navigation risks across parts of Latin America and the eastern Pacific. The NOTAMs, published on January 16, 2026, and set to expire in mid-March, cover multiple flight information regions off the coasts of Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as large sections of the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to the FAA, the advisories highlight the possibility of military operations and interference with satellite navigation signals. Breaking Defense reports that these conditions could pose hazards to civil aviation. Airlines and flight crews typically factor the information into flight planning, fuel calculations, and crew briefings, especially on long-haul routes that transit affected regions.