Leonardo DiCaprio misses Palm Springs Festival amid air restrictions due to international turmoil

Leonardo DiCaprio was forced to miss this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival on account of the increasingly tense geopolitical situation following the US air strikes in Venezuela.

According to Variety, the 51-year-old actor was not able to depart for the gala from his vacation in St. Barts after air restrictions were imposed in the area.

Staying at the Caribbean island since the New Year’s celebrations, alongside Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, DiCaprio was set to accept the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in One Battle After Another.

“Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace,” a spokesperson for the festival was quoted as saying.

The statement further added that while the Titanic star will be missed during the latest celebrations, the Palm Springs institute is “honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema.”

“His talent and dedication to the craft continue to inspire, and we are delighted to celebrate him with the Desert Palm Achievement Award this evening,” concluded the message.

Furthermore, the Palm Springs International Airport also issued a statement informing passengers of the unexpected situation in the area.

“An FAA air traffic control issue is impacting Southern California airspace today. Departing flights are currently under a ground stop. Aircraft have been able to arrive, though some inbound flights have diverted and delays are expected. This is not specific to PSP and is affecting multiple SoCal airports. Travelers should check directly with their airline for the latest flight information. PSP will share updates as needed,” the detailed announcement stated.

Global affairs went haywire following America’s military operation in Venezuela on January 3, taking President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cila Flores in custody, who were then flown to the States.

While Leonardo DiCaprio was due to make an appearance at the ongoing Palm Springs International Film Festival on the same day.