Haiti Faces Isolation as Airport Closure Follows Gunfire Attacks on Planes
Haiti’s main airport, Toussaint Louverture International, remains shut down for the second time this year after three commercial US airlines reported their planes were struck by gunfire, suspected to be from gangs. This has left the country isolated from the international air travel network, further intensifying its ongoing security crisis.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday banned all US airlines from flying to Haiti for the next 30 days after two separate incidents involving Spirit Airlines and JetBlue. American Airlines also confirmed that one of its planes was hit by a bullet during a flight from Haiti. Due to concerns over passenger safety and aircraft insurance, it is unclear when flights will resume at the airport.
Emilio Gonzalez, a former US National Security Council director, warned that Haiti could be completely cut off if the situation persists. He emphasized the challenges the Haitian government faces in convincing the world that it is safe to resume air travel.
Even United Nations helicopters are unable to land in Port-au-Prince due to the ongoing violence. The airport closure has also left many people, including the US ambassador to Haiti, stranded as flights are suspended.
This comes amid escalating gang violence in Haiti, which has claimed nearly 4,000 lives this year alone. The US embassy issued a security alert advising citizens to avoid travel to Haiti, warning that the security situation remains unpredictable and dangerous.
In addition, Haiti’s political instability continues to worsen. Over the weekend, the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) dismissed interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, replacing him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime. This change reflects growing frustration with the lack of progress in restoring security and governance after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
The violence has also disrupted key transportation routes, with gangs controlling roads leading out of the capital, including the main highway to Cap-Haitien, which has an international airport.
The closure of Haiti’s airport has further complicated the international response to the crisis, especially regarding the planned arrival of 600 Kenyan police officers who were set to bolster a UN-backed security mission. With gangs controlling key areas and undermining security, the situation in Haiti remains dire, leaving the country increasingly isolated from the outside world.
