Haiti’s travel woes worsen as flights from Port-au-Prince remain suspended indefinitely

PORT-AU-PRINCE— Haiti’s southern region has been cut off from its capital for over three weeks as the Toussaint Louverture International Airport remains closed. The temporary shutdown, caused by a gang attack on commercial flights for the second time this year, has forced airlines to halt operations, stranding passengers and exposing deep flaws in the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Cyprien, a resident of Port-au-Prince and traveler to Les Cayes, the capital of Haiti’s South Department, has been separated from his family for nearly a month. He shared his experience with The Haitian Times, highlighting the impact of ongoing instability on people’s ability to move freely within the country.

“I went to Les Cayes on Nov. 8 for the funeral of a loved one,” Cyprien said. “I was supposed to return to Port-au-Prince on Nov. 11. I was already on board a Sunrise Airways flight, and just as we were about to take off, the pilot received notifications that he was not authorized to fly to Port-au-Prince because the airport environment was deemed unsafe.” 

Gangs shot at Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines planes on Nov. 11, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prohibit U.S. airline carriers from operating in Haiti for 30 days from Nov. 12. Haitian aviation authorities initially shut the country’s largest international airport down for six days to assess and mitigate safety risks associated with the gang-led insecurity. However, the airport has yet to be operational again. Flights to and from Port-au-Prince have now been suspended indefinitely, leaving hundreds of travelers like Louis Gary Cyprien desperate to return home from the South in limbo.

The insecurity in Port-au-Prince is affecting transportation and causing anxiety among stranded travelers. Cyprien, a journalist who lives in Nazon, a neighborhood controlled by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition led by notorious leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, expressed his concerns for his family. 

“I went to Les Cayes on Nov. 8 for the funeral of a loved one. I was supposed to return to Port-au-Prince on Nov. 11. I was already on board a Sunrise Airways flight, and just as we were about to take off, the pilot received notifications that he was not authorized to fly to Port-au-Prince because the airport environment was deemed unsafe.”

 Louis Gary Cyprien, A resident of Port-au-Prince 

“I left my wife alone at home. Now, she has had to take refuge with relatives due to the deteriorating situation,” Cyprien said.

Haiti’s air travel crisis is compounded by the blockade of all major national roads, notably National Road #1 and #2—the primary routes connecting Port-au-Prince to the northern and southern regions. Armed gangs not only control key roadways but also render coastal routes unsafe, leaving residents with few viable options. 

This paralysis reflects the broader governance and security issues that have hampered essential services nationwide. Thousands of people have been stranded in the four geographical departments of the far south, including South, Southeast, Grande-Anse and Nippes. 

Many travelers have their airline tickets in hand. Still, they are stuck in Les Cayes because Sunrise Airways, the Haiti-based carrier linking Port-au-Prince to the region, has not yet been authorized to resume service in the Haitian capital. They are fed up and ask the government authorities to take the necessary measures so that they can return home.

No clear solutions

With flights suspended indefinitely, travelers are left scrambling for alternatives. While some have considered traveling by sea or detouring through Cap-Haïtien and Jacmel, these options are fraught with risks. The threat of armed gangs controlling National Roads #1 and #3, coupled with the dangers of maritime travel, has left many hesitant to proceed.

Government authorities and airlines have not offered concrete solutions or timelines for resuming flights. The recent resumption of flights between Cap-Haïtien and Les Cayes has not alleviated the situation for many, as these routes still rely on unsafe roads for access to Port-au-Prince.

The growing insecurity and lack of reliable transportation infrastructure continue to deepen Haiti’s crisis. As passengers wait for solutions, the need for comprehensive measures to address the country’s transportation and safety challenges becomes more urgent.

Uncertainty remains, which frustrates many. 

Stéphanie Armand, a representative of Sunrise Airways, acknowledged that even the airline company did not know when they could resume operations in Port-au-Prince. “Unfortunately, we do not yet have a date for the resumption of flights. The authorities decided to close the airport until security conditions improve.”

With no satisfying response or clear solution in sight, passengers like Pierre Winchel Noël express their frustration. 

“I have been stuck in Les Cayes. “I tried to go through Jacmel, but it was too risky. I heard flights were scheduled for Nov. 29, but now people are saying early December without any official notice from Sunrise Airways,” Noël, who has been on a business trip in the city, lamented.

For others, the impact goes beyond financial and logistical inconveniences. 

Simon Jean-Gilles, who has been staying at a hotel for at least two weeks, shared the toll it has taken on him financially and emotionally. “This airport suspension has exhausted me emotionally and economically. I wasn’t prepared for such a long stay away from home,” Jean-Gilles said.

The post Haiti’s travel woes worsen as flights from Port-au-Prince remain suspended indefinitely appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Haiti’s travel woes worsen as flights from Port-au-Prince remain suspended indefinitely was first posted on December 3, 2024 at 9:29 am.