The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the resumption of flights to Northern Haiti this week after it temporarily prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to the country due to safety concerns over increasing gang violence.
After numerous incidents of gunfire directed at commercial aircraft, the FAA decided to lift earlier restrictions affecting six airports located north of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Despite this change, flights to Port-au-Prince remain suspended as concerns about the capital's security continue. This move has opened up air travel to sites including Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, Pignon, Jeremie, Antoine-Simon, and Jacmel.
Earlier this month, flights were halted after armed gangs shot at aircraft attempting to land. A concerning incident saw gunfire injuring a flight attendant aboard Spirit Airlines, which was approaching the capital. This attack reflected the deteriorated security situation where armed groups are estimated to control about 85% of Port-au-Prince.
Gang violence is not new to Haiti, but recent escalations, particularly following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, have made travel increasingly perilous. This current surge of violence has driven more than 20,000 people from their homes, according to the United Nations.
Normally, major U.S. carriers such as Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines operated flights to Haiti. Following the statement from the FAA, air travel operators have made adjustments to adhere to newer directives. The FAA’s updated Notifications to Air Missions (NOTAM) indicate flights are prohibited below 10,000 feet over specific regions identified within Haiti until early December 2024.
On the ground, conditions following the gunfire incidents have resulted in heightened police patrols near the airport to check on vehicles and passengers. The Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader even labeled the shooting as "a terrorist act," urging international allies to classify Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations.
Adding to the complexity, the United Nations has also paused aid flights to the capital. The UN has rerouted its humanitarian operations to Cap Haïtien—another Haitian city—due to the violence affecting Port-au-Prince. The UN’s aid route is now hindered, limiting access to much-needed resources for the population suffering from widespread instability and humanitarian issues.
The FAA's decision to resume flights to some airports points to the international community's efforts to find pathways to support Haiti, even as challenges grow. The agency continues to monitor the situation closely, evaluating the risks for air travel as the country grapples with its security crisis.
