Haiti reopens Port-au-Prince airport as FAA ban nears expiration

Additional reporting by Zoltan Lucas, Deputy Editor at The Haitian Times

Toussaint Louverture International Airport reopened Wednesday, Dec. 11, ending a month-long closure caused by gang attacks that disrupted Haiti’s primary gateway. The reopening comes just before the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision on whether to extend a flight ban for U.S. carriers into Haitian airspace, a restriction that excludes airports in northern Haiti, where U.S. flights remain permitted.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the reopening as part of broader government efforts to address mounting security concerns. 

“The resumption of commercial flights marks a turning point for the Haitian economy,” his office said in a statement. The government cited new patrols by Haitian National Police (PNH) and checkpoints near the airport as key measures, alongside infrastructure repairs to improve access.

The airport has been closed since mid-November after gangs fired on multiple planes, including a Spirit Airlines flight. Those attacks injured a flight attendant and prompted airlines like JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines to halt operations. The closure left many Haitians stranded, compounded by gang-controlled roads that made travel to Cap-Haïtien’s Hugo Chavez International Airport dangerous.

While Toussaint Louverture Airport is now operational, uncertainty remains. Major airlines have not resumed flights, and American Airlines has stated that its services to Haiti are suspended indefinitely, citing safety concerns. JetBlue and Spirit Airlines have scheduled tentative returns in February and April 2025, respectively, but have yet to confirm final plans.

Jameson Barthol, a Florida resident, called the situation a “blow to the country and the diaspora,” citing rising ticket prices and limited travel options. For weeks, Haitians voiced frustrations about the lack of clear communication from government officials or airlines.

Although some remain on edge as airline bans stay in effect, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé,  framed the reopening of the Port-au-Prince airport as a step toward stability, saying his administration remains “resolutely committed” to restoring essential infrastructure and boosting economic activity.

The FAA has not yet announced whether it will extend its flight ban, set to expire Thursday, Dec. 12, with similar restrictions from other countries also nearing their expiration dates. For now, travelers must await further updates from airlines hesitant to resume flights to Haiti.

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