Haiti sees first domestic flight in seven months take off from Port-au-Prince
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Sunrise Airways flight departs Port-au-Prince for Cap-Haitien — the first commercial flight in seven months, marking a hopeful moment for Haitians.
Haiti Reconnects: First Domestic Flight in Seven Months Lifts Off from Port-au-Prince
Haiti witnessed a symbolic step toward normalcy on Thursday as the first domestic flight in seven months departed from Port-au-Prince to the northern city of Cap-Haitien. The flight, operated by Sunrise Airways, carried 19 hopeful passengers and marked the first commercial aircraft to leave the capital since widespread gang violence shut down air travel in November 2024.
A Symbol of Hope Amid Crisis
The resumption of domestic flights comes as a rare moment of relief for a nation plagued by chaos. Passengers expressed joy and anticipation at finally being able to reconnect with family, friends, and business networks across the country.
The scene outside the Guy Malary terminal was bustling. Cars filled the airport parking lot, porters wheeled luggage through the crowd, and black-market traders exchanged U.S. dollars for Haitian gourdes, underscoring both the resilience and desperation of the local economy.
Violence Grounded Haiti’s Skies
The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince had closed in mid-November 2024, marking the second closure that year, after a Spirit Airlines flight was shot at while preparing to land. A flight attendant was injured in the gunfire.
Other aircraft were also targeted, forcing Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines to immediately suspend all flights to and from the capital.
Though the airport formally reopened in December, commercial operations remained suspended — until this week.
Gang Control Stifles Air Travel
The extended halt in air travel was largely due to gang control over major parts of the capital. According to security sources, at least 85% of Port-au-Prince is currently under gang rule.
A powerful gang federation earlier in 2024 shut down the main international airport for nearly three months, holding off air travel in and out of the city and deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Small Steps Forward
While Thursday’s flight is only a domestic route, it is a small yet meaningful sign of progress for a population weary of violence, displacement, and isolation. Sunrise Airways’ successful departure — and safe landing — proves that limited air travel may once again be possible, especially for internal connections like the Cap-Haitien route.
There is still no word on when or if international commercial carriers will return to Port-au-Prince.
Resuming Trust in the Skies
Airport security has reportedly been tightened, and coordination between Sunrise Airways and local law enforcement is ongoing to ensure passenger safety. However, the threat of gang retaliation remains a concern for both authorities and airline operators.
Analysts believe that more domestic flights could gradually restore trust in the aviation system, but only if safety measures continue to hold firm.
Life Goes On, Cautiously
As the flight lifted off into the Haitian sky, many saw it as a metaphor for a country trying to rise above its many troubles. But challenges remain. Roads into Port-au-Prince are still dangerous. Economic uncertainty, fueled by violence, inflation, and political instability, continues to grip the country.
Still, Thursday’s flight brought smiles and cheers — a brief yet significant victory in Haiti’s ongoing struggle for peace and connection.
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