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In a cautious step toward restoring air travel to Haiti, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has modified its previous blanket ban, permitting U.S. airlines to operate flights to Cap-Haïtien International Airport and Jacmel’s domestic airport. This adjustment, effective immediately, follows a ban enacted after two U.S. commercial flights were struck by gunfire amidst escalating violence near Port-au-Prince.
The FAA’s decision reopens critical travel links to Haiti while maintaining restrictions on Port-au-Prince and two high-risk zones, including the Dominican-Haitian border area. Flights to these regions are prohibited below 10,000 feet until December 12, barring exceptions for government-authorized operations.
Cap-Haïtien International Airport, with its 8,700-foot runway, can accommodate medium-sized aircraft like those operated by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. However, Jacmel’s smaller airport supports only smaller planes due to its 3,748-foot runway. The restrictions still preclude flights by larger, wide-body aircraft commonly used for transatlantic routes.
The adjustment reconnects Haiti to the U.S. air transportation network, enabling crucial international access to the country’s northern and southern regions. While this development enhances connectivity, restrictions on larger aircraft operations and ongoing security risks in the capital highlight the challenges that remain.
The FAA’s ban on flights below 10,000 feet in specified areas remains a reflection of Haiti’s current instability. Two high-profile incidents earlier this month—one involving a JetBlue plane hit by gunfire departing from Port-au-Prince, and another forcing a Spirit Airlines flight to divert to Santiago, Dominican Republic—underscore the risks posed by armed groups operating near Haiti’s primary airport.
The FAA’s modified restrictions represent a compromise, balancing security concerns with Haiti’s need for international connectivity. However, full resumption of flights to Port-au-Prince, the country’s largest hub, remains out of reach.
