The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its ban on United States commercial flights heading to Haiti to March 2026, following an expiry of the previous ban on Monday, 8 September. The ban is in place due to concerns of powerful gangs, who might attack incoming flights.
FAA Extends Ban on Flights to Haiti
The FAA issued a ban on US commercial flights to Haiti last November. This decision came as a result of gangs using small drones and arms to open fire on a Spirit Airlines flight landing in Port-au-Prince. A flight attendant received minor injuries, and other commercial planes on the ground were also hit during the incident. Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines all ceased operations to Haiti immediately.
Now, the ban has been extended until March 7 2026, due to continued gang violence. The United Nations (UN) have stated that gangs have “near-total control” of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au Prince, and attacks are increasing in surrounding areas that had previously been marked as peaceful. The escalation of violence and growing lack of public security mean that flying to and from Haiti remains a high-risk procedure.
The Impact of Gangs at Toussaint Louverture International Airport
Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince briefly opened in May last year, in an attempt to provide supplies after three months of closure. This includes medications, which are in critical shortage in Haiti, amongst other basic needs.
After increased gang violence, the airport was forced to close its doors again. It opened once more in December for domestic flights, and the first service took off seven months later in June. This allowed passengers to travel to Cap-Haitien (CAP), where they could reunite with friends and family. Roads remain largely too dangerous to travel, with gangs known to open fire on random vehicles.
No international flights have resumed operations, and with the extension of the FAA’s ban, it is unlikely that such services will take place soon. The FAA have noted that they “will continue to monitor the safety and security environment for U.S. civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Haiti.”
What do you think about the ongoing situation in Haiti, and the FAA’s decision to extend its ban on commercial flights? Let us know.
