Haiti's main airport, Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, reopened on Wednesday after a month-long closure caused by gang violence that has engulfed the country for months.
The airport was closed following a series of incidents in November when commercial aircrafts operated by Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and American Airlines, came under gunfire from gangs near the airport. Although no passengers were injured, a flight attendant on one plane sustained minor injuries, as The Miami Herald reports.
The FAA responded with a 30-day prohibition on U.S.-licensed airlines flying into Port-au-Prince, set to expire on Thursday. Canada, France, and the United Kingdom imposed similar bans, which are expected to end over the coming days.
Authorities have hailed the reopening as a crucial step toward restoring economic activity, though uncertainty remains about when international flights will resume, as flight bans imposed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other countries are still in effect, as Reuters reports.
Haitian authorities announced enhanced security measures at the reopened airport, including increased patrols and checkpoints involving police, soldiers, and an international force led by Kenya under United Nations support. A government statement described the reopening as part of a broader strategy to create a secure environment and revive economic activities in the country, which has been plagued by escalating violence.
Despite these efforts, major airlines have not yet announced plans to resume flights to Haiti. American Airlines told the Miami Herald that it was indefinitely suspending its daily service between Miami International Airport and Toussaint Louverture International Airport due to the deteriorating security situation. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue have not confirmed when their services might return.
Haiti's prolonged crisis, marked by gang violence, political instability, and economic challenges, has left at least 5,000 dead this year, according to the United Nations. Over the weekend close to 200 people were killed in the Haitian capital after a gang leader ordered the butchering of elderly people he suspected of sickening his child, who ultimately died, through witchcraft.
A report by UNICEF last week revealed that over 1.5 million Haitian children have lost access to education, and many face growing risks of exploitation, including recruitment into armed gangs
Originally published on Latin Times.
