Haiti’s main international airport, Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport, has been shut down for the second time this year after three United States commercial passenger planes were hit by suspected gang gunfire. The US Federal Aviation Administration has banned all US airlines from operating in Haiti for 30 days, leaving the conflict-torn state isolated from the travel industry. Passenger security and aircraft insurance concerns are delaying the resumption of operations at the airport, with a former US National Security Council director expressing skepticism about airlines being willing to fly into such a dangerous environment.
The ongoing gang-related violence in Haiti, which has claimed almost 4,000 lives this year, has led to the closure of the airport and concerns about the safety of travelers. The US embassy has issued a security alert advising against travel to Haiti due to the unpredictable and dangerous security situation. The closure of the airport has also raised questions about the planned arrival of 600 Kenyan police officers next week to reinforce a UN-backed security mission meant to restore order in the country.
Political upheaval in Haiti has added to the instability, with the firing of interim Prime Minister Garry Conille by the Transitional Presidential Council. The appointment of a new prime minister, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, has raised concerns about the government’s ability to address security and democratic rule issues following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The US has called on Haitian leaders to prioritize governance over personal interests and promote accountability within the transitional government to maintain credibility.
Haiti is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis due to years of gang violence, which has forced over 700,000 people from their homes and exacerbated poverty and hunger. Gang control over key areas of the capital and major roads has left many residents trapped with no safe way out. The closure of the border with the Dominican Republic and the suspension of commercial flights between the two countries have further limited travel options for Haitians, with roads out of the capital controlled by gangs who regularly kidnap passengers and drivers.
Recent incidents of commercial flights being hit by gunfire have highlighted the risks faced by airlines operating in Haiti. A Spirit Airlines flight was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after being hit by gunfire, while JetBlue and American Airlines also reported bullet damage on their planes from Haiti. An investigation into the incidents is underway, leading JetBlue to suspend all flights to and from the country until December 2 and American Airlines to suspend flights to Port-au-Prince until February 13, 2025. The US Embassy in Haiti has also evacuated non-essential diplomatic staff after gunmen targeted embassy vehicles.
The closure of Haiti’s main airport and the ongoing violence in the country have left residents and travelers stranded and raised concerns about the future of air travel in the region. The inability of the Haitian government to ensure security and stability has led to a lack of confidence among airlines and passengers. The international community’s role in supporting Haiti’s security and governance efforts will be crucial in addressing the deepening crisis and restoring stability in the country.
