Spirit and JetBlue to resume flights to Cap-Haïtien, Fritz Alphonse Jean says

American commercial carriers Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways are planning to resume flights to Cap-Haïtien Hugo Chavez International Airport, Fritz Alphonse Jean, president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), announced Friday after meeting with aviation officials.

Jean shared the update on social media following discussions with Haiti’s National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) and National Airport Authority (AAN) regarding the reopening of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, which has remained closed since November 2024, aside from a brief reopening in December.

“I met today with OFNAC and AAN officials to provide an update on the reopening of Toussaint Louverture Airport,” Jean posted on X. “We are moving forward despite safety and insurance costs challenges. There is good news: Spirit and JetBlue are planning to resume flights to Cap-Haïtien.”

While Jean’s announcement sparked hope, details remain scarce. Spirit and JetBlue have not confirmed specific dates for resuming operations in Haiti, and the CPT has not responded to The Haitian Times‘ requests for comments regarding the announcement and more details about the meeting with operators.

The closure of Port-au-Prince’s airport has severely disrupted travel for Haitians, especially for those living in the southern and western regions. Residents of those areas have to pass through the gang-controlled streets in Port-au-Prince — often paying exuberant fees to gang members — just to reach Cap-Haïtien for departing flights.

Aruba Airlines offered Port-au-Prince to Miami flights, attempting to relieve travelers’ pain this month but the airline quickly backtracked its decision due to gang violence.

“Based on continued challenges in flying out of Port-au-Prince (PAP), unfortunately, the result will be the temporary suspension of flights out of Port-au-Prince until these challenges is remedied,” Aruba Airlines stated in a statement on its website. “We will continue to seek resolution as quickly as possible.”

Haitians question Cap-Haïtien focus amid Port-au-Prince closure

While some Haitians welcomed the news, many expressed frustration, arguing that reopening Port-au-Prince’s airport should be the priority. The capital remains largely inaccessible due to gangs blocking major roads and highways and making travel through Cap-Haïtien impractical for many residents.

“What if someone can’t pass through Morne Cabrit to get to Okap to travel?” said Hyppolite Beauvoir, a travel agent, referencing the gang-controlled road connecting Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien. “If they (CPT) want to do something serious, they need to open the airport in Port-au-Prince. I don’t think making Spirit and JetBlue fly in Okap is what’s essential.”

Spirit previously had Cap-Haïtien to Fort Lauderdale flights available for March 2025, but the airline told The Haitian Times that a firm resumption date has not been set.

Meanwhile, JetBlue recently extended its suspension of Port-au-Prince flights to at least June 11. The airline has not issued any updates on Cap-Haïtien services.

Gang violence stalls Port-au-Prince airport reopening

Despite Jean’s assurance that Toussaint Louverture International Airport will reopen soon, many Haitians remain skeptical, given the worsening security situation.

In the past two weeks, gangs escalated attacks in the capital and surrounding areas, targeting media outlets, burning homes, and injuring law enforcement officers, including a Kenyan police officer deployed under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). These recent waves of attacks have forced more people to be displaced, businesses, humanitarian and healthcare organizations, and schools to be closed. 

“Fritz Jean, stop playing with people,” wrote user Alexis Bylly on X. “Every one of you [transitional presidents] goes to meetings, but we still have the same problems. Am I not right? When will you guys stop playing with the people’s lives?”

Potential benefits of more airlines in Cap-Haïtien

Although many Haitians would rather see Port-au-Prince’s airport reopen, the return of Spirit and JetBlue to Cap-Haïtien could provide major benefits:

• Lower airfare prices – Currently, Sunrise Airways is the only airline operating Cap-Haïtien to the U.S., charging between $530 and $730 for a one-way ticket. The arrival of Spirit and JetBlue could introduce competition and reduce costs for travelers.
• More travel options – Sunrise Airways does not offer connecting flights, limiting travelers’ choices. Spirit and JetBlue’s re-entry would provide connections through Fort Lauderdale and other U.S. hubs, increasing accessibility for Haitians traveling abroad.
• Potential port of entry for thousands of Trump deportees— the U.S. president continues to expand his crackdown on immigration. His administration announced Friday that it will revoke the temporary legal status of over 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans granted under former Joe Biden’s humanitarian parole program, effective April 24. A move that could force many Haitian beneficiaries of that program to self-deport or face removal.

As Haiti’s aviation industry grapples with ongoing instability, travelers, airlines, and officials will be watching closely to see if Jean’s promises materialize—and if Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince will reopen anytime soon.

In addition to the Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien airports, the Haitian government recently inaugurated the expansion of Les Cayes Antoine Simon Airport in the south as a third international flight option. Many have applauded this long-awaited upgrade, which allows the airport to offer a critical alternative to Port-au-Prince, where gang violence has severely restricted access to the capital’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport. However, the facility has yet to receive any international flights.

The post Spirit and JetBlue to resume flights to Cap-Haïtien, Fritz Alphonse Jean says appeared first on The Haitian Times.