IBC Airways lands first Miami-Les Cayes flight | Photos

LES CAYES, Haiti — In a moment many described as “historic” and “miraculous,” IBC Airways touched down in Les Cayes Monday, Nov. 10, completing its first-ever direct passenger flight from Miami to Haiti’s southern region.

Thirty passengers — most of them natives of the Great South — stepped off the Embraer ERJ-145 jet onto the tarmac of Antoine Simon International Airport, greeted by cheers, drums and a red carpet. The arrival marked more than just a smooth landing; it was the realization of a long-held dream for southern Haitians in the diaspora, who for decades endured costly and risky journeys through Port-au-Prince to reach home.

“This is a victory for the Great South,” said Carmélie Ismaël Montuma, IBC Air’s representative in Haiti. “It wasn’t easy, but we did it. Our next passenger flight will take place on Wednesday.”

Montuma confirmed IBC’s weekly schedule, with flights taking place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. “Demand is very high,”  she told The Haitian Times. “ Right now, it’s still difficult to find seats from Miami to Les Cayes.”

On its website, flyibcair.com, IBC lists round-trip fares at about $870, up from $600 in previous months due to high demand. However, the Fort Lauderdale-based airline’s fares are still notably lower than those of its competitors flying through Cap-Haïtien, which can cost as much as $1700 round-trip.

A dream finally realized with a flight decades in the making

“I am very happy and proud to see this dream I’ve cherished for over 48 years — leaving the United States and landing in Les Cayes [directly] — come true,” said Ed Lozama, a native of Cavaillon in the South Department and long-time media professional from North Miami. “The 30 passengers traveled first class and received an excellent welcome.”

For others, the flight represents more than convenience — it’s a bridge for renewed engagement between Haiti’s South and the outside world.

“It’s a real miracle,” said Dan Shoemaker, president of the West Florida-based religious organization Reciprocal Ministries International (RMI).

 “I’ve been waiting for this flight since 1981. Many foreign churches have wanted to visit Haiti, especially the South. This flight opens up new possibilities for the region,” Shoemaker said.

“For me, this is the biggest event I’ve ever participated in in the South,” added Haitian American businessman Jeff Lozama, another passenger on the flight. “A direct commercial flight from Miami to Les Cayes is something indescribable. We must continue to support these efforts and ensure that this initiative is protected.”

Local authorities hail a new chapter as foundation for broader development

Municipal and regional leaders praised IBC Airways’ arrival as a milestone that could help decentralize development and reduce the country’s dependence on Port-au-Prince.

“Eight months after the launch of operations to internationalize the airport, we are very happy to be experiencing this historic moment,” said Claire Daphné France, president of the interim municipal commission of Les Cayes.

 “The airport serves the Great South [including the South, Southeast, Grand’Anse and Nippes departments], the Palmes region, and part of the West Department,” she said. “We hope services will continue to improve and that other airlines will join us.”

Community leaders said the flight is only a first step toward a broader vision for economic revitalization and regional equity.

For years, southern Haitians in the diaspora have pushed for a direct international connection to Les Cayes, often facing long, costly and risky travel through Port-au-Prince.

“It’s a small step, but an important one considering the bigger picture,” said Astrel Joseph, member of the community advocacy initiative Nou Bouke Tann (“We’re tired of waiting”). The airport project was a state commitment made in 2010 to reduce pressure on Port-au-Prince and decrease the vulnerability of the region’s residents.

“We expect more — a modern international airport, a maritime platform, highways, industrial parks, and investors,” he added.

As the plane’s engines cooled on the Les Cayes runway, a wave of renewed optimism filled the air. For the first time, southern Haitians could fly directly from Miami to their hometowns—skipping the unpredictability of the capital. They have also been facing a longer and more costly trip through Cap-Haïtien Hugo Chavez International Airport— the only airport receiving international flights until Monday, following an FAA ban last year on the Port-au-Prince airport due to security concerns.

For IBC Airways, the moment marked more than a commercial milestone; for travelers and residents alike, it symbolized reconnection — and hope for a region long waiting to take off.

The following are some photos from IBC Airways’ inaugural Miami–Les Cayes flight:

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