Haiti, Haitian Times, Inglês

The skies over Port-au-Prince are beginning to open again, to the delight of many in the Haitian capital and abroad. A charter flight operated by the Ecuador-based company Aeroregional departed Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) for Brazil on Tuesday, Dec. 17, marking the first commercial flight operation at the airport since its closure on Nov. 12 due to Haiti’s prolonged security crisis, exacerbated by rampant gang violence.

With around 200 passengers on board, the Ecuadorian airline’s charter flight symbolizes a cautious return to international aviation for Haiti. However, flights between the United States and Haiti have remained banned due to safety concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to reevaluate the suspension, with a potential resumption of flights anticipated after March 12, 2025.

Despite the restrictions on U.S.-bound routes, this successful operation hints at renewed possibilities for Haitian travelers seeking connections beyond North America. “This is an encouraging first step for us,” Marie Bazile, a passenger on the Aeroregional flight to Brazil, told The Haitian Times.

Bazile, 39, a restaurant owner in Rio de Janeiro who has resided there since 2011 following Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, was happy to safely return to her three children after an unexpectedly prolonged stay in the crisis-ridden country. 

Despite the Port-au-Prince International Airport being officially reopened on Dec. 11, ending a month-long closure caused by gang attacks, no commercial flights resumed until Tuesday.

Haiti’s aviation shutdown, after gunshots fired by gangs struck the three major American-based commercial airlines connecting Haiti and the United States, including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, has not only hampered mobility but also dealt a blow to the country’s already moribund economy. Experts have underscored the importance of restoring international connectivity to aid the nation’s recovery. The resumption of flights also offers a sense of optimism for Haitians in the diaspora, eager to reconnect with their homeland despite ongoing instability and security challenges.

Although the Hugo Chavez International Airport in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien has been open for business, Toussaint Louverture International Airport—Haiti’s largest airport facility—remains the most vital gateway for the country’s economic and cultural exchanges. As Aeroregional leads the way in reestablishing flights, observers will be closely watching how the airport adapts to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency amid persisting challenges.

Philippe Bayard, founder and president of the Haiti-based carrier Sunrise Airways, explained how the dramatic security events that have disrupted the Haitian air travel sector affect his company’s decision to resume flights to and from Port-au-Prince.  Speaking on Radio Télé Métropole Tuesday, Bayard discussed the negative impact of insecurity on insurance requirements and the measures necessary to ensure the safety of air operations.

“After an incident of insecurity like that, where commercial airplanes operated by civil aviation were shot at, some specific safety measures must be in place before we can confidently resume our operations,” Bayard said.

He also revealed Sunrise Airways’ ambitions to connect Haitian cities further and develop a regional air network in the Caribbean, despite the company’s economic, technical and structural challenges. Bayard emphasized the importance of a more dynamic framework to stimulate trade and tourism in Haiti while addressing criticisms regarding the high costs of airline tickets and customer service.

For now, the successful flight to Brazil marks a milestone in Haiti’s path toward reopening and reconnecting with the world. Whether this signals a lasting recovery for the aviation sector remains to be seen. Still, for those aboard Tuesday’s flight, the journey offers hope—a small yet significant lift-off for a country that needs new horizons.