JetBlue, a U.S. carrier, has announced it will extend its suspension of flights to Haiti until April 30, 2025, due to ongoing civil unrest and security concerns. The decision reflects the airline’s caution in light of the volatile situation in the country.
This decision was made following incidents in November when aircrafts from JetBlue, Spirit and American Airlines were struck by bullets shortly before landing at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
The airport reopened to commercial flights last week, after being closed for a month due to escalating gang violence. This closure marked the second time in 2024 that the airport was shut down because of safety concerns. Haitian soldiers, police forces, and Kenyan police, who are part of a UN-backed mission aimed at combating the gangs, have been deployed to enhance security in the area. A test flight was successfully carried out, signaling that conditions have improved enough to resume regular international air traffic.
In a statement, the airline emphasized that the safety of its customers and crew remains its top priority and it will continue to monitor the situation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also extended its ban on civil flights to Haiti until March 2025. American Airlines and Spirit have similarly suspended services without specifying a return date.
Currently, Sunrise Airways is the sole airline providing direct flights between Haiti and the United States.
The suspension of major carriers’ highlights the severe security crisis in Haiti where escalating gang violence has disrupted air transport and further strained the country’s economy.
Haiti has been in the grip of intense gang violence, with over 5,000 people reported killed this year. Among the most horrific incidents was a massacre in a gang-controlled area of Port-au-Prince, which left over 180 people dead.
