On Tuesday, March 12, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the extension of a ban on US flights to Port-au-Prince through September 8. This decision is driven by ongoing security concerns in and around the Haitian capital due to armed gang violence.
In November 2024, the FAA implemented a temporary 30-day pause on all flights to Haiti after three US-registered aircraft, including JetBlue and Spirit Airlines flights, were struck by gunfire while landing at Port-au-Prince Toussaint Louverture International Airport. On December 11, this ban was extended until March 12, 2025, allowing service to other Haitian cities such as Cap-Haïtien.
The restriction for Port-au-Prince has now been extended to September 8 (Photo: Estailove ST-VAL / AFP), with the FAA citing "...ongoing instability... " caused by armed gangs as a serious threat to aircraft flying into Haiti's primary international airport. The presence of "...small arms, including high-caliber rifles and machine guns... " poses risks primarily during low-altitude flight operations and approach/departure phases.