The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its prohibition on U.S. airlines flying to Haiti through March 12, citing ongoing instability in the country. This decision follows the expiration of a 30-day ban initially imposed after two aircraft were struck by gunfire on November 11 at Port-au-Prince’s international airport.
In the November incidents, a Spirit Airlines flight attendant sustained minor injuries, though no fatalities were reported. The situation has prompted heightened concerns about safety at Haiti’s main airport, which the U.S. State Department has described as a "focal point for armed activity."
The FAA’s initial ban, which took effect shortly after the shootings, was set to last 30 days but has now been extended into 2024. Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March, and the U.S. State Department has maintained a "do not travel" advisory for the country since September 18.
Prior to the ban, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and American Airlines were the primary U.S. carriers serving Haiti. However, American Airlines recently announced it would suspend its daily Port-au-Prince to Miami route until at least late 2024.
The situation underscores the challenges facing international travel to Haiti, with the latest directive serving as a precautionary measure amid persistent unrest.
