The United States has imposed a 30-day suspension on all flights to Haiti following gunfire attacks on two commercial airplanes at Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the moratorium after a Spirit Airlines flight from Florida and a JetBlue flight from New York were hit by gunfire on approach to the airport.
The United Nations, which relies on flights for humanitarian aid, also announced a suspension of air travel into Haiti due to escalating violence and security risks. Airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, have canceled flights, though Haiti’s Sunrise Airways continues some regional operations.
Haiti has struggled with intensifying gang violence since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, with armed groups controlling most of Port-au-Prince and around 85% of the capital, according to the UN.
Monday’s airport attacks occurred amid political shifts as Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as acting prime minister.
Dominican President Luis Abinader condemned the shootings, urging international recognition of the gangs as terrorist organizations. Amid widespread closures of schools, banks, and government offices in the capital, the new prime minister pledged to work with international partners to restore peace and prepare for elections, a sentiment echoed by the US State Department.
Image credit: Matteo Favre
