Haiti’s primary international gateway, the Toussaint-Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince, resumed operations on Monday after a prolonged closure of nearly three months.
The shutdown, a result of relentless gang violence, had severely disrupted connectivity since early March.
The reopening is seen as a crucial step towards alleviating the acute shortage of medical supplies and other essentials, particularly as the nation’s main seaport continues to be inoperative.
Limited flight services as normalcy slowly returns
Currently, only Sunrise Airways, a domestic airline, has resumed flights to and from the capital. Major U.S.-based airlines are expected to resume their services by late May or early June.
The schedule marked its first return flight to Miami at 2:30 PM EDT.
Previously, the only other operational airport in Haiti had been in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, which remained largely inaccessible due to gang-controlled territories on the routes from Port-au-Prince.
The U.S. and nonprofits respond to crisis
As gang violence escalated, seizing police stations and targeting transport hubs in February, the U.S. government and various nonprofit organizations conducted emergency evacuations by helicopter from affected neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince.
The violence has since spread to previously peaceful areas, displacing thousands and significantly increasing the death toll.
The United Nations reported a more than 50 per cent rise in casualties in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2022.
Economic hardships and resilience among the locals
At the Couronne Bar, located near the airport’s only operational gate, manager Klav-Dja Raphael resumed service, albeit with a lingering fear of potential attacks.
Despite the airport providing a month’s salary during the closure, Raphael and many others faced unemployment, relying on support from friends and family.
With renewed operations, the mood among workers like the immigration staff was upbeat, marking a return to normalcy and an end to their unexpected “long vacation.”
Mixed emotions among departing passengers
The reopening saw emotional scenes at the Sunrise Airways counter, where passengers prepared for departures.
Among them was Darling Antoine, who, despite her excitement to relocate to the U.S., was saddened by leaving her family behind in a neighborhood increasingly encroached upon by gangs.
Meanwhile, Jean Doovenskey, an accountant made jobless by the ongoing unrest, expressed relief at finally being able to leave, hopeful for a better future for Haiti.
International and local efforts to restore stability
The crisis also led to political turmoil, with former Prime Minister Ariel Henry unable to return from a trip abroad during the airport attacks, subsequently leading to his resignation.
A transitional presidential council is now tasked with stabilizing the country, including appointing a new prime minister and organizing general elections.
Internationally, countries like Kenya are finalizing plans to deploy police officers to assist Haiti, with support expected from multiple nations.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to manage the violence that has overwhelmed the Haitian capital.
