Sunrise Airways suspends flights to and from Port-au-Prince

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Sunrise Airways, Haiti’s only airline in operation, announced on Sunday, Nov. 23, that all flights between Port-au-Prince and the country’s major cities are temporarily suspended. In a statement, the airline cited security concerns and said service would resume depending on how the situation develops, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The decision follows an incident that occurred the same day, when a company’s aircraft, preparing to land at Guy Malary Airport after arriving from Les Cayes, came under gunfire as it was about to drop off its passengers. The aircraft was reportedly hit by bullets just moments before landing.

“No one can say what the intended target was. For Sunrise, the priority remains the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft,” a company communications advisor told The Haitian Times. He added that only flights connected to Port-au-Prince are suspended, while other routes remain unaffected.

So far, the government has not provided details about the shooting or confirmed whether passengers were on board at the time. Authorities have yet to respond to Sunrise’s announcement or outline measures to address the recurring incidents.

Since Nov. 13, police have been conducting anti-gang operations in areas such as Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre, near Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Armed groups, having suffered heavy losses, vowed retaliation, fueling fear and sporadic gunfire around the airport.

In light of increasing violence, Sunrise stressed that passenger and employee safety remains its highest priority. The airline stated that its commercial team will reach out to travelers with reservations to coordinate rebookings, credits or refunds according to company policy.

“No risks will be taken until conditions are fully met to operate safely,” the statement stressed.

This isn’t the first time aircraft have come under fire in Port-au-Prince—similar incidents previously prompted the U.S. FAA to suspend commercial flights to Haiti. The measure, first imposed in November 2024, was considered for easing in September after an initial extension from March. However, it was extended once again until March 7, 2026, due to worsening security conditions. Planes operated by JetBlue and American Airlines were also struck by gunfire while on the tarmac in Port-au-Prince.

Residents trying to reach Haiti’s Grand North or Grand South can no longer do so by air. They must travel on the national highways, paying not only the driver but also gangs who have set up makeshift toll stations, all while risking their lives. Others, hoping to visit family in provincial towns, have no choice but to travel by sea, risking their safety.

A World Bank study published in April 2024, which examined the economic effects of gang violence, reviewed the issue of illegal toll stations. It showed that revenues from these activities have made gangs highly independent, freeing them from reliance on political groups or actors for funding. They reportedly impose tolls ranging from $192 to $231 per truck, while fuel convoys are charged as much as $1,538.

Meanwhile, Sunrise, which mainly operates in Cap-Haïtien, announced that it will continue to operate its other routes for travelers flying to or from southern Haiti, including Jacmel, Les Cayes and Jérémie. Its airline service between Cap-Haïtien Hugo Chavez International Airport and the U.S. also remains active, according to its travel updates.

Sunrise Airways resumed its domestic flights on June 12, 2025, after signing an agreement with the Haitian government to restore connections between Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Les Cayes and Jérémie.

As part of this agreement, the Haitian government committed to providing an $11 million insurance guarantee to cover risks related to the country’s severe security instability, including any accident or incident directly or indirectly linked to the ongoing violence.

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