Haiti opens third international airport in Les Cayes

Haiti has officially opened its third international airport, Antoine Simon Airport, in the southwestern city of Les Cayes, offering a secure alternative to the violence-plagued capital, Port-au-Prince.

The newly upgraded facility now joins Toussaint Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien Airport in the north, enhancing both international connectivity and domestic travel options.

The launch was led by Leslie Voltaire, head of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), who emphasized the airport’s potential to drive economic growth in the Southern department. “This is a significant step forward in decentralizing development and improving access to international markets,” Voltaire said during the opening ceremony.

The renovation project included extending the runway and upgrading facilities to meet international standards, equipping the airport with essential services such as immigration and customs. The new terminal is expected to ease travel within Haiti, particularly amid frequent roadblocks set up by armed gangs that have disrupted ground transportation across the country.

The opening of Antoine Simon Airport comes at a crucial time for Haiti’s aviation sector. In November 2023, escalating violence forced the closure of Toussaint Louverture Airport after armed gangs attacked the facility, causing a Spirit Airlines flight to divert to the Dominican Republic. The new airport in Les Cayes aims to restore stability to the country’s aviation network and strengthen Haiti’s global connections.

By expanding its air travel infrastructure, the Haitian government hopes to mitigate the impact of the ongoing security crisis in Port-au-Prince and provide safer travel alternatives for residents and international visitors alike.