FAA flight ban on Haiti: isolation isn’t the only solution | Opinion 

By Dr. Guerda Nicolas, Wolf Pamphile, and Santra Denis

In a world that claims to uphold human rights, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recent ban on flights to and from Haiti casts a disturbing shadow over the very idea of international solidarity. Though presented as a response to safety concerns, this action has had far-reaching and devastating consequences on an entire nation. For the people of Haiti, this countrywide ban, instead of a localized restriction, represents more than a disruption in air travel; it is a crisis that deepens their isolation, aggravates economic hardship, and places an entire population in the grip of uncertainty. Such a measure, in its consequences, borders on what can only be described as ill-advised, unintelligent policy decisions and a grave human rights injustice.

In January 2023, Mexican cartel gangs attacked a Mexico City-bound flight at the Culiacán airport as retaliation for the arrest of El Chapo Guzman’s son, Ovidio Guzman. According to Mexican authorities, they “detected a bullet hole in the fuselage of an Embraer E190 aircraft that was ready to operate the flight AM165 on the route Culiacán-Mexico City. The flight was cancelled for safety reasons.” While this incident mirrors what happened in Port-au-Prince recently, the United States did not impose a countrywide ban on Mexico, or even Culiacán.

Understanding the FAA’s policy tools highlights the severity of this decision. The FAA has two main tools to mitigate aviation risks in foreign airspace: bans and restrictions. A ban is a complete prohibition; when the FAA issues a ban, it forbids U.S.-registered aircraft and pilots from flying to, from, or over certain regions or countries. Bans are typically reserved for areas facing extreme security risks, like active war zones or regions with elevated threats to aircraft. In contrast, a restriction allows for limited access rather than a total prohibition. Restrictions might involve altitude limitations, specific routes, or other conditions that allow flights to continue safely in sensitive areas. A human-focused policy decision would consider Haiti’s second international airport in Cap-Haïtien, which is not impacted by the instability and continues to be a source of tourism and a gateway for humanitarian aid.

Despite its political instability, Haiti is not in an active war zone. In countries with active wars, the FAA has not always banned flights as an immediate first reaction. The choice of a total flight ban over more measured restrictions is questionable and deeply harmful. A restriction, with conditions such as specified routes or altitudes, could address any identified safety issues while maintaining critical travel links for the Haitian people. By imposing a ban instead of a restriction, the FAA has completely cut Haiti off, blocking essential goods, people, and medical aid flows.

The timing of the ban could not be worse. Haiti faces profound crises on multiple fronts: political instability, natural disasters, healthcare challenges, and widespread poverty. This FAA action effectively shuts the door on vital economic support, medical aid, and family reunification efforts. Humanitarian aid and remittances from the Haitian diaspora, which comprise a significant portion of the country’s economy, have slowed dramatically, leaving communities in dire situations without the resources they desperately need. The countrywide ban essentially places a stranglehold on a population already battling to survive. In doing so, it contradicts the very tenets of human dignity and solidarity that international organizations espouse.

The humanitarian consequences cannot be overstated. Haiti’s healthcare system is already under immense pressure, with limited infrastructure and supplies. The flight ban disrupts the delivery of critical medical resources, leaving countless patients and healthcare providers stranded. It also jeopardizes the work of countless humanitarian organizations whose staff rely on direct flights to reach those in need. Blocking this lifeline is tantamount to denying the Haitian people the right to basic health, safety, and well-being.

Consider the plight of small business owners who rely on goods flown in from the U.S. or the Haitian students and professionals who need travel flexibility to maintain their studies, careers, and family connections. The FAA ban has robbed these individuals of the ability to access opportunities, often lifelines out of poverty. These individuals and businesses are now forced to navigate complex and costly detours, often via other countries, adding to their expenses and exacerbating the financial strain on vulnerable households. This is not merely an inconvenience but a systemic obstruction to economic development that will set Haiti back for years.

This FAA flight ban has exposed a dangerous precedent, demonstrating how powerful nations can isolate and economically suffocate countries that lack global influence. The countrywide ban reveals a callous disregard for human rights and international accountability, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and dependence. It raises profound ethical questions about the rights of all nations, big and small, to participate in a fair global economy and receive support from the international community in times of crisis.

Instead of imposing such sweeping bans, the U.S. government and international agencies must collaborate with the Haitian government and local organizations to develop alternative measures that prioritize security without undermining Haiti’s connectivity to the rest of the world. Solutions that include targeted security protocols, bolstered airport infrastructure, and aid for stabilizing critical sectors would ensure safety without dismantling the fragile economic links that sustain millions of Haitians.

The current FAA countrywide flight ban on Haiti does not reflect a commitment to humanitarian principles; instead, it showcases an alarming willingness to punish an entire population for circumstances beyond their control. The time has come for the U.S. and the global community to recognize this decision as a disproportionate response with catastrophic consequences for the Haitian people. By lifting this ban and investing in cooperative, security-based alternatives, the U.S. can help empower Haiti rather than cripple it, honoring not only its own values but also the universal human right to thrive.

Dr. Guerda Nicolas is a Professor of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami and a co-founder of Ayiti Community Trust. She is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and community development in Haitian and Caribbean populations.

Wolf Pamphile is the Founder and Executive Director of Haiti Policy House, a D.C.-based research institute focused on geopolitical issues specific to Haiti.

Santra Denis is the President and founder of Avanse Ansanm and the Executive Director of the Miami Workers Center. She is a Haitian-American millennial and a lover of all people. Her life’s mission is to dismantle systems of oppression for the liberation of all people.

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