US airline operations in Haiti banned for 30 days, airport shutdown for 6

PORT-AU-PRINCE — After the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 12, that it will prohibit U.S. airline carriers from operating in Haiti for 30 days, the Transitional Presidential Council announced the immediate deployment of personnel from the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH), the National Police of Haiti (PNH), and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) to protect commercial flights to and from Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

U.S. flight operations are banned until Dec.12 and the Haitian aviation authorities have also suspended all air travel to and from Port-au-Prince until Nov. 18. The shutdowns occurred after two American commercial flights were hit by gunfire from armed gangs on Monday, with passengers on board. A notice from the U.S. Aviation Administration said the ban which spans all air operations in Haiti, is due to “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability,” with exceptions only for emergencies, foreign-operated U.S.-registered planes, or operators who are foreign carriers.

“This cowardly crime, which threatens Haiti’s sovereignty and security, aims to isolate our country on the international stage,” said the Presidential Council in a statement released Nov. 12.

 “The perpetrators of these heinous acts will be hunted down and brought to justice.”

Commercial flights have again been targeted by gang gunfire

On Monday, Nov 11, as a new prime minister was sworn in, gangs once again targeted Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince. U.S. airline planes were shot at during this day of tension in the capital, caused by gangs attempting to paralyze all activities and create a climate of fear among residents.

Spirit Airlines Flight 951, coming from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and heading to Port-au-Prince, was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic. One crew member was injured and received medical attention. The aircraft was taken out of service, and the American company suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien without providing a date for resumption.

The American company JetBlue also reported one of its flights from Haiti to New York had been struck by a bullet. The impact was confirmed upon arrival in U.S. territory. JetBlue, like Spirit, has suspended all flights to and from Haiti until Dec. 2, due to the violence in the country that has affected air operations.

American Airlines announced, like other airlines, on Tuesday the suspension of its daily flights to Haiti until February 12. The airline revealed that one of its planes was also hit by gunfire on the outside on November 11. However, the airline reassured that Flight 819 from Haiti landed safely in Miami.

Additionally, the Haitian airline Sunrise Airways has also suspended its flights until further notice. The Haitian Times contacted Sunrise for more information, and the company representatives promised to get back to us with answers to our questions.

After the paralysis of commercial flights to, from, and within Haiti in March 2024, when gangs nearly stormed Toussaint Louverture Airport, Monday marks the second time airlines have faced flight suspensions this year.

The embassy’s travel warnings renewed Monday

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti is aware of the temporary suspension of operations at Toussaint Louverture Airport starting Nov. 11, 2024, due to insecurity,  issuing a security alert for Haiti and strongly advising U.S. citizens not to travel to the country.

 For those already in Haiti, the Embassy notes that the U.S. government cannot guarantee their safety when traveling to the airport, at the borders, or during any further travel.

“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” U.S. Embassy stated. 

“The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports.”

“This cowardly crime, which threatens Haiti’s sovereignty and security, aims to isolate our country on the international stage. The perpetrators of these heinous acts will be hunted down and brought to justice.”

Transitional Presidential Council (TPC)

The Canadian Embassy for its part, renewed its security alert for Haiti on Nov. 12, which was issued five days earlier. Like the U.S. Embassy, Canada is advising its citizens not to travel to Haiti. 

The Embassy reminded its citizens that Toussaint Louverture Airport has suspended all operations until Nov. 18, 2024, due to violence between armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, and the embassy cannot assist with travel to Santo Domingo, as the borders are closed.

“The security situation remains extremely unstable in Haiti. Gang violence is high in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department,” says the Canadian Embassy’s information page.

 “Several areas of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area remain dangerous due to criminal activities and kidnappings.”

The post US airline operations in Haiti banned for 30 days, airport shutdown for 6 appeared first on The Haitian Times.

---

US airline operations in Haiti banned for 30 days, airport shutdown for 6 was first posted on November 13, 2024 at 11:35 am.