After a challenging month for air travel, six airports in northern Haiti are once again welcoming U.S. flights as the situation in the country remains precarious.
New Hope for Air Travel: Six Northern Airports in Haiti Reopen to U.S. Flights
New Hope for Air Travel: Six Northern Airports in Haiti Reopen to U.S. Flights
The FAA lifts flight restrictions to select airports in response to ongoing security issues in Haiti.
On November 21, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the reopening of six northern airports in Haiti for U.S. flights, following a month-long suspension due to escalating violence and security concerns. Since November 12, when gunfire struck three commercial aircraft, including a Spirit Airlines flight destined for Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, the FAA had imposed a 30-day prohibition on U.S. carriers operating in the nation.
Though flights to Port-au-Prince will remain suspended until December 12, American airlines will be permitted to operate in the following northern airports: Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, Pignon, Jeremie, Antoine-Simon, and Jacmel. The earlier suspension had left many travelers stranded globally and hampered crucial humanitarian efforts, as emergency aid flights were also grounded.
Haiti has been mired in turmoil since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse over three years ago, creating a power vacuum filled by gangs. The situation has deteriorated significantly over the past year, with gangs reportedly seizing control of around 85% of the capital and carrying out violent attacks, looting, and kidnappings. The United Nations has noted this concerning trend, with rival gangs collaborating to conduct strikes on police stations and release inmates from jails.
Despite the reopening of these airports, the security conditions in the country remain dire, and the FAA continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of U.S. travelers.
