Les Cayes airport upgrade sparks hope—but is it enough for Haiti’s Great South? 

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Haitian government inaugurated the internationalization of Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes on March 5, marking a major milestone in the country’s push for economic decentralization. This long-awaited upgrade allows the airport to accommodate international flights and offers a critical alternative to Port-au-Prince, where gang violence has severely restricted access to the capital’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

This achievement follows the Jan. 17 inauguration of the Saint-Louis-du-Sud port, another key infrastructure project to boost economic activity in Haiti’s Great South, including four departments central to tourism, trade and agriculture.

“These two major infrastructures—the port of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and the international airport—are just the beginning. Next, we will bring electricity to Les Cayes,” said Leslie Voltaire, president of the Presidential Transition Council (CPT).

“The transformation of the port of Saint-Louis and the airport in Les Cayes are very commendable. Working together will drive progress in the Great South. We know Port-au-Prince is the center of commercial activity, but now the South department, particularly Les Cayes, can play a major role in the country’s trade.”

Berlus Pierre Samson, school director and jurist in Les Cayes

 “Infrastructure is the foundation of economic and social development.”

A project stalled for more than a decade

The effort to upgrade Antoine Simon Airport into an international facility began in Feb. 2013, with the goal of completing the transformation by Aug. 2014. The $26.44 million project, initially overseen by Dominican firm Ingeniería Estrella, S.R.L., faced unexplained delays, forcing Les Cayes residents to petition the government in 2018 and again in 2024 to restart construction.

Despite more than a decade of stagnation, the government managed to complete key upgrades in just 10 days, including:

• Runway expansion: Extended from 1,350 meters to 1,850 meters
• Wider aircraft capacity: Can now handle 50- to 80-passenger planes (previously limited to 19- to 30-passenger aircraft)
• New infrastructure: Lighting for night landings, a control tower, and a weather station
• Security upgrades: Dedicated space for the Anti-Drug Trafficking Brigade (BLTS)

A critical alternative as gangs block access to Port-au-Prince

The reopening of the Cayes International Airport and Saint-Louis-du-Sud port comes at a crucial time when gang violence has effectively cut off National Road No. 2 since June 2021. This has left the South region isolated, severely impacting the transportation of goods and people. For years, Les Cayes residents and business owners have pushed for alternative trade routes outside of Port-au-Prince. Now, with these two major infrastructure projects, the Great South has a chance to develop its own economic hub.

“When we expand capacity for international flights, we make the southern region more attractive to visitors and the diaspora. This also creates more opportunities for the tourism sector,” said Raphaël Hosty, Minister of Public Works, Transport, and Communication.

Can the Great South become Haiti’s new economic engine?

Haiti has faced six consecutive years of economic decline. The Great South region, which includes the South, Southeast, Nippes and Grand’Anse departments, can provide the country with a much-needed boost if considerable movement of people and goods occurs.

Haiti’s GDP contracted by 4.2% in 2024, the worst economic downturn since 2009. The primary, secondary, and tertiary economic sectors all shrank, leading to a steep decline in trade and investment. Many now hope the newly internationalized airport and port can help turn the tide.

“The airport and port are commendable. They will drive progress in the Great South,” said Berlus Pierre Samson, a school director in Les Cayes. “Port-au-Prince has been the center of commerce, but now, the South department can play a bigger role in trade.”

Haitian American Anselme Junior Joseph, who is from the region and a big-time supporter of the #NouBoukeTann campaign, agrees with Pierre. However, he said officially launching Antoine Simon Airport as an international facility is the first step toward the push for modernization. “We need to build an airport that reflects our history and projects for a prosperous future for all Haitians,” he told The Haitian Times.

According to Cosy Joseph, another project supporter who also applauded the move, much more work remains to be done. 

“Haiti’s south needs a real international airport that meets modern standards,” she said. “That’s the vision. The work for the modernization of the airport has just begun.”

“With 1,850 meters of runway, the South is no longer out of reach of international flights, particularly the Haitian diaspora,” Joseph said. 

Next step: Upgrading to category 4E for larger aircraft

Currently, Antoine-Simon Airport is classified as a category 3B airport. However, Haitian airport officials have ambitious plans to upgrade it to category 4E, which would allow large international aircraft, including Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s, to land directly in Les Cayes.

“The people of Les Cayes can rejoice because we will work with the private sector to transform this into a category 4E airport,” said Yves Ducarmel, director of the National Airport Association (AAN).

Despite the optimism, some airport services remain incomplete, and full operations have yet to begin.

Meanwhile, Port-au-Prince remains in limbo

While Les Cayes prepares to welcome international flights, Port-au-Prince is still waiting for JetBlue to resume service. The airline, which suspended flights after three U.S. commercial planes were hit by gunfire in March 2024, has pushed its return date to June 11, 2025, due to ongoing security concerns. The other two U.S. commercial carriers, American Airlines and Spirit Airlines, have yet to announce a resumption date for operations in the Haitian capital.

“Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our customers and crew,” JetBlue told the Miami Herald. “Due to civil unrest in Haiti, we have suspended all flights to and from the country until at least June 11, 2025.”

With no clear timeline for Port-au-Prince’s recovery, the newly upgraded Les Cayes airport may become Haiti’s most viable gateway for travelers and trade in the foreseeable future.

The post Les Cayes airport upgrade sparks hope—but is it enough for Haiti’s Great South?  appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Les Cayes airport upgrade sparks hope—but is it enough for Haiti’s Great South?  was first posted on March 6, 2025 at 4:03 pm.