Haiti’s domestic flights resume, sparking both hope and skepticism

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti will resume service of domestic flights at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on June 12, reconnecting Port-au-Prince with provincial cities including Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Les Cayes and Jérémie. The move comes as the country remains under a U.S. commercial flight ban.

Sunrise Airways will operate the flights under an agreement with the Haitian government. Officials say the plan is intended to restore internal connectivity, support economic recovery, and signal to international partners that the country is working toward normalization despite the crisis.

“A necessary step forward,” officials say.

“This is an advancement that will allow citizens to resume their activities and facilitate international transactions,” said Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé during the signing ceremony.

The resumption is being touted as the first major effort to reinvigorate domestic aviation since security issues shuttered Haiti’s airports earlier this year. In February 2024, flights were suspended for nearly three months after escalating violence forced airspace closures. On November 11, 2024, airlines like JetBlue and Spirit halted operations when aircrafts came under gunfire near Port-au-Prince airport. Since then, no international commercial flights have returned to the capital.

Yves François Ducarmel, Director General of the National Airport Authority (AAN), said the restart represents more than resumed service—it is a test of Haiti’s resilience.

“This symbolizes determination and hope,” Ducarmel said. “It’s a collective commitment to reconnect people, revive tourism, and strengthen internal trade routes.”

Mixed reactions as residents are hopeful but cautious

Some citizens welcomed the news. Jane Manuel, a Haitian living in New Jersey, said the decision will offer greater flexibility to those traveling between the capital and rural regions.

“I think it’s good news,” she told The Haitian Times. “It helps people who would otherwise be stuck. There’s no perfect time for travel when insecurity is ongoing, but mobility is still a need.”

Others expressed concern about safety and affordability. Djinie Metellus, a resident of Carrefour— Port-au-Prince, said the move lacks meaningful impact without real progress on the security front.

“This doesn’t solve the problem,” she said. “Airfare is too expensive for most Haitians. Last year, a round-trip ticket from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince was $298. That’s not accessible.”

Officials have not yet announced fares for the resumed flights. Additionally, uncertainty remains around infrastructure readiness and service consistency.

The U.S. commercial flight ban on Port-au-Prince remains in effect.

The domestic relaunch comes as Haiti continues to grapple with a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ban on American carriers operating in its airspace. Imposed in November 2024 after gang gunfire struck planes near the Port-au-Prince airport, the ban was initially temporary but has now been extended through September 2025.

Despite security reinforcements around the airport—including military container barricades and housing clearances—international carriers have not resumed service. Haitian officials hope the domestic relaunch will signal readiness and eventually prompt U.S. and other foreign airlines to return.

“We are working to ensure that commercial flights to the regions become the first step toward resuming international travel,” Prime Minister Fils-Aimé said.

Domestic relaunch in the shadow of broader travel restrictions

Complicating matters further, the U.S. on June 4 announced new immigration restrictions targeting countries, including Haiti, that pose “high risks in traveler screening and verification.” The measure, signed by President Donald Trump, is set to take effect June 9 and further limits visa approvals for Haitians.

The Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would pursue diplomatic dialogue to reduce the impact of the new restrictions. Officials stressed that these limitations could worsen conditions for families and professionals who rely on international travel for survival and livelihood.

“We call on our partners for an open discussion,” the ministry said in a statement, “to ensure that this decision does not worsen the situation for many Haitians.”

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