The skies over Port-au-Prince remain closed to American planes.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday, September 5, 2025, that it is extending its ban on commercial flights to Port-au-Prince. Originally set to expire on September 8, 2025, the restriction will now remain in place until March 7, 2026, further isolating the Haitian capital.
Under the directive, U.S. airlines are not permitted to fly below 10,000 feet in Port-au-Prince’s airspace. The restriction applies specifically to Toussaint Louverture International Airport, deemed too vulnerable to security threats.
The FAA explained its decision by pointing to ongoing violence, particularly the presence of the criminal coalition Viv Ansanm. Recently designated by the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, its leaders are now subject to bounties. Despite the deployment of the Kenya-led multinational security force, U.S. officials believe armed gangs still pose a threat in areas surrounding the airport.
In its statement, the FAA noted that these groups retain access to small arms and drones capable of targeting low-altitude flight phases, increasing risks for civilian aircraft. It further warned that Haitian and multinational security forces, facing shortages of personnel and resources, cannot adequately secure the air corridors around the capital.
A Ban in Place for Nearly a Year
The first suspension was issued in November 2024 after at least two U.S. commercial planes reported being struck by gunfire while approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Since then, the ban has been regularly renewed, cutting Port-au-Prince off from major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue.
These airlines have suspended their routes “until further notice,” citing grave safety concerns for passengers and crew. On March 6, JetBlue announced its flights to Port-au-Prince would remain grounded at least until June 11, 2025. With the new FAA order, prospects for resuming service are now pushed back even further.
Cap-Haïtien: The Only Remaining U.S. Gateway
With Port-au-Prince closed, Cap-Haïtien International Airport remains the sole direct commercial link between Haiti and the United States. Haitian carrier Sunrise Airways and a few smaller operators continue to offer limited connections, though capacity is scarce.
The Haitian government had tried to expand options. In March, it inaugurated an extended runway at Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes, making it capable of receiving international flights. However, only one test flight has taken place so far: an IBC Airways aircraft from Miami landed there on June 12.
Similarly, Jacmel Airport completed expansion works in January 2025. These projects were intended to ease the country’s isolation, but their impact remains minimal.
A Capital Cut Off
For many Haitians, the extended ban deepens the sense of isolation. Port-au-Prince is home to the majority of the nation’s economic, political, and diplomatic activity, yet its international airport remains closed to major airlines.
In this context, Sunrise Airways stands among the few carriers maintaining direct flights between Haiti and the United States from Cap-Haïtien. Many travelers, however, must transit through other countries, facing longer journeys and higher costs.
No Immediate Resolution in Sight
The measure will remain in effect at least until March 2026, and prospects for improvement appear dim. The growing power of armed gangs, the limited impact of multinational forces, and the challenges facing Haitian security agencies all suggest that threats to civil aviation may extend beyond the FAA’s new deadline.
For now, Port-au-Prince remains grounded, trapped by insecurity that deters airlines. The prolonged closure further isolates the Haitian capital, already paralyzed by urban violence, and severs the diaspora’s direct lifeline to their homeland. The ban also weighs heavily on citizens’ mobility, undermines economic exchanges, and increases reliance on the country’s limited alternative air routes.
