Quantcast

FAA extends flight restrictions over Haiti amid rising gang violence

Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
FAA extends flight restrictions over Haiti amid rising gang violence
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines faced a major crisis as operational challenges led to the cancellation of 16,900 flights, affecting nearly two million passengers during a peak travel period.

Apr 19, 2025

Harrison Ford, an acclaimed actor known for roles such as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones, is also a noted aviation enthusiast.

Apr 19, 2025

Iberia Airlines has confirmed a notable shift in its flight schedule connecting Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth, introducing its first overnight service from Europe to the US.

Apr 19, 2025