U.S. Flights Resuming to Northern Haiti Amid Ongoing Turmoil

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the reopening of six airports in northern Haiti to American flights after a temporary suspension following gunfire incidents. However, the main airport in Port-au-Prince remains closed due to escalating crime and gang activity.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a significant step on Thursday by permitting U.S. flights to restart at six airports located in northern Haiti. This change comes after a suspension placed on Nov. 12, which was triggered by alarming safety concerns after several commercial airliners, including a Spirit Airlines flight, faced gunfire while landing at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. That particular flight diverted to the Dominican Republic due to the incident.

The initial halt on flights resulted in extensive travel disruptions, leaving numerous passengers stranded worldwide and impacting humanitarian efforts into Haiti, as emergency flights were also grounded. While American carriers can now operate flights to six airports — Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, Pignon, Jeremie, Antoine-Simon, and Jacmel — the FAA continues to restrict access to the main airport in Port-au-Prince, which will remain closed until Dec. 12.

Haiti has faced escalating chaos over the past three years following the assassination of its last president, Jovenel Moïse. In the absence of effective governance, gangs have surged in power, effectively controlling major infrastructure such as roads and ports, resorting to brutal tactics of killing and kidnapping civilians. The situation worsened in 2024, with rival gangs uniting to execute coordinated attacks on police stations, leading to widespread violence, including prison breaks and neighborhood takeovers. The United Nations has reported that gangs currently dominate 85 percent of the capital, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.