News Americas, New York, NY, December 11, 2024: American Airlines has announced it will not resume flights to Haiti in February, citing escalating gang violence and instability in the Caribbean country. The decision underscores ongoing safety concerns that have caused other airlines, including Spirit and JetBlue, to suspend operations in the region.
“American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP),” an airline spokesperson said. FOX Business. “We are proud of our more than 50-year commitment to Haiti and will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security and customer demand, in evaluating a restoration of service.” Affected customers will be contacted and offered full refunds.
Safety concerns Spark flight suspensions
The airline’s decision comes in the wake of increased gang violence, which has affected both civilian security and commercial operations. Last month, Spirit and JetBlue planes were hit by gunfire amid growing unrest, prompting those airlines to also temporarily suspend flights to Haiti.
The US government continues to warn against travel to the country. “The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the US embassy in Port-au-Prince said. “You should consider your personal safety situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti.”
The crisis deepens amid political and social unrest
Haiti has faced worsening violence this year, with the United Nations reporting at least 4,500 deaths and over 2,000 injuries in 2024 alone. Since November 11, some 42,000 people have been displaced by gang-related violence, according to UNICEF .
In one particularly horrific incident, the National Network for the Protection of Human Rights reported that gang members killed at least 110 elderly individuals in the Cite Soleil slum, claiming witchcraft as a motive. The violence involved machetes and knives, reflecting the brutal nature of the riots.
Adding to the turmoil, Haiti’s political leadership remains in flux. Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé recently replaced Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was ousted last month.
Hope for Stability
As American Airlines reiterates its longstanding relationship with Haiti, it stresses the importance of prioritizing safety before resuming operations. The carrier will continue to assess conditions to determine when flights can safely resume.
