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FAA extends flight restrictions over Haiti amid rising gang violence

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FAA extends flight restrictions over Haiti amid rising gang violence
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended flight restrictions for US airlines in Haitian airspace until March 12, 2025. This decision follows a series of violent incidents at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, where gang violence has been on the rise. The airport had been closed to commercial flights for most of November due to safety concerns.

In November 2024, several commercial aircraft from Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and American Airlines were hit by gunfire while preparing to land at the airport. Although there were no fatalities, these attacks led to significant safety concerns. A flight attendant was injured aboard a Spirit Airlines plane, prompting the FAA to initially ban US airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days. This restriction has now been extended.

Under the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), US aircraft are prohibited from flying over Haiti below an altitude of 10,000 feet due to security threats posed by armed gangs around the capital. These restrictions were first enforced after shooting incidents on November 11 and were intended to be lifted in December but have been prolonged due to ongoing insecurity.

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Despite these limitations, Toussaint Louverture International Airport officially reopened for commercial flights on December 11. The reopening is seen as crucial for Haiti's transportation and tourism sectors, which have suffered significantly due to escalating violence.

The Haitian government views the airport's reopening as a pivotal moment for economic recovery. In a statement from the prime minister's office, officials described it as part of "a strategic approach aimed at restoring a secure environment and relaunching economic activities," calling it a "turning point" for the economy.

To ensure safety at the airport and surrounding areas, additional security measures have been implemented. These include increased patrols and checkpoints coordinated between national police, army forces, and an international force supported by the United Nations and led by Kenya.

The US State Department issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti in mid-September 2024 due to civil instability and gang violence posing risks such as kidnappings and armed robberies near the airport. Consequently, US Embassy staff are advised to use official transportation when traveling between their location and the airport.

Haiti continues grappling with severe gang violence affecting its capital and other regions. A recent massacre orchestrated by gangs in Cite Soleil resulted in about 180 deaths last weekend. More than 700,000 people nationwide have been displaced amid dangerous food shortages according to UN data.

The closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport further strained Haiti’s fragile economy already impacted by inflation, lack of essential services, and political uncertainty. Violence complicates aid delivery efforts exacerbating hardships faced by Haitians.

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