Sunrise Airways has suspended all inbound and outbound flights to and from Port-au-Prince, the airline announced in a statement published on its website.
“For reasons strictly related to security, Sunrise Airways informs the public of the immediate suspension of all flights arriving in and departing from Port-au-Prince until further notice,” the statement reads.
The airline said it decided to protect passengers, crew, and operations due to the current security situation.
“We are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant authorities and will resume operations as soon as conditions allow,” Sunrise added, stressing that the safety of passengers and staff remains the company’s top priority.” No risks will be taken, the carrier said, until conditions are fully in place to operate safely.
On Sunday, Nov. 23, a domestic Sunrise Airways flight arriving from Les Cayes, in Haiti’s southwest, was struck by gunfire as it was landing at the Guy Malary terminal of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, according to the Miami Herald. No injuries were reported.
In its statement, Sunrise said passengers affected by the suspension will be contacted directly.
“Passengers whose flights are impacted will be contacted by our sales team to process rebookings, credits, or refunds in accordance with our current policies,” the airline said.
Sunrise thanked customers for their patience and understanding and reaffirmed its commitment to “safety, transparency, and the well-being of all.”
Haitian Civil Aviation Authorities Confirm Aircraft Damage but Say Operations Continue
For its part, Haiti’s National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) said on Sunday, Nov. 23, that preliminary inspections showed one Sunrise Airways aircraft had sustained “an impact in the form of a hole” in its structure.
“OFNAC reminds you that flight operations to and from Port-au-Prince are continuing normally, and that all relevant security measures have been reinforced to ensure service continuity under the best possible conditions,” the regulator said.
According to OFNAC, the competent authorities are currently preparing a detailed report on the incident.
“The results of this assessment will be made public as soon as possible, once the technical, operational, and security investigations have been completed,” the statement added.
OFNAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of air transport in Haiti and thanked users for their “understanding and trust.”
Haitian Civil Aviation Repeatedly Disrupted by Armed Attacks
The latest incident is part of a broader pattern of armed violence affecting Haiti’s civil aviation sector.
On Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, several windows at the Guy Malary terminal in Port-au-Prince were damaged by gunfire from armed gangs. Staff and passengers were forced to take cover. Numerous domestic and international flights were canceled at both the Guy Malary terminal and Toussaint Louverture International Airport, and two aircraft on the tarmac were reportedly hit by projectiles.
As a result, numerous domestic and international flights were canceled at both the Guy Malary terminal and Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Two aircraft parked on the tarmac were also reportedly hit by projectiles.
On Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, a crew member was injured in an attack targeting a Spirit Airlines plane arriving from Fort Lauderdale as it attempted to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. That same day, Haitian airport authorities suspended all commercial flights.
U.S. authorities have also tightened restrictions on flights to the Haitian capital. As U.S. media have reported, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, that it was extending its ban on U.S. flights to Port-au-Prince until March 7, 2026, due to the risks posed by armed groups to civil aviation.
Last November, the FAA briefly halted all flights to Haiti after three U.S. commercial aircraft were hit by gunfire, later allowing U.S. airlines to resume service to six northern airports.
Since last year, the FAA has allowed U.S. airlines and general aviation pilots to serve six Haitian airports: Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, Pignon, Jérémie, Antoine-Simon in Les Cayes, and Jacmel.
In its Sept. 5 notice, the FAA said armed groups still control nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince as well as key roads and surrounding border areas.
Suspension Comes Despite Government-Backed Guarantee Fund
Sunrise’s suspension of service to Port-au-Prince comes even though the Haitian government established, in June, a $11 million guarantee fund for the company’s benefit, dedicated exclusively to compensation in the event of a disaster.
For now, Sunrise Airways says it will remain grounded in the capital until it is confident that its aircraft and passengers can operate without being caught in the crossfire of Haiti’s deepening security crisis.
