MIAMI – American Airlines is no longer resuming its daily service from Miami to Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport. American had initially suspended flights until February 12. The suspension is now indefinite.
A spokesman for the US-based carrier said it will explore a possible resumption as late as 2025 of daily service from Miami International Airport to Haiti by the major US airline.
This comes after The Federal Aviation Administration restricted US flights from flying to Haiti 30 days after that gangs he shot down three planes. In addition, the United Nations temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, and reduced humanitarian aid entering the country.
American Airlines' statement read in part: “American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily operations between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP),” a spokesperson said. “We are proud of our more than 50-year commitment to Haiti and will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer needs, in assessing the restoration of service. We will continue to reach out to affected customers to provide us with a full refund of their travel expenses.”
Many airlines avoid potential violence
Last month, several airlines – including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Aviation – announced the suspension of daily flights to Haiti after confirming that their planes were shot down while in Haitian airspace in early November.
Neither Spirit nor JetBlue have said when and if they will resume flights to Haiti.
JetBlue Airways operates flights from both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport to Port-au-Prince.
Spirit Airlines, which was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport with passengers when the shots were fired, also suspended its operations between Fort Lauderdale and Cap-Haïtien in the north of the country.
No passengers were injured.
What does this mean for Haitians in the US and Haiti?
The ban on commercial flights and cargo has caused serious problems for the Haitian people. Roads in and out of the capital are controlled by armed gangs, and mudslides last week buried two main roads connecting Cap-Haïtien and the capital.
Those leaving the capital have had to ask for a ride on a helicopter chartered by the government to transport security forces to hot spots or pay $2,500 to board a privately chartered helicopter weighing 20 kilograms. .
The FAA initially placed all of Haiti under a flight ban. It later amended its decision to exclude airports outside the capital.
The only other airport that accepts international flights, Hugo Chavez International Airport, is located north of the city of Cap-Haïtien.
Today, the small airport serves as the only air bridge in and out of the country. The airport between Haiti and the Dominican Republic remains closed. The Bahamas has suspended flights to the country. The only direct service to the US is currently by Haitian-owned Sunrise Airways.
Despite that, it did not stop the United States to expel the Haitian people I returned to the country. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security evacuated 70 deportees from Cap-Haïtien despite days of heavy rains that left the city flooded and blocked all exits from the city to other parts of Haiti.
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