American Airlines will soon return to Haiti with the recommencement of its daily nonstop service between Miami and Cap-Haïtien set for November 1st. This move marks the end of over a year-long hiatus for the airline, which had paused operations in response to safety concerns in Port-au-Prince.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration had previously restricted American airlines from flying into the Haitian capital due to multiple incidents involving gang gunfire impacting aircraft. Despite a long-standing presence in Haiti spanning over 50 years, American Airlines halted its daily operations into Port-au-Prince indefinitely in December 2024.
In 2014, American Airlines first launched its services at Cap-Haïtien’s international airport after restoring a runway. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a suspension of these services in 2020. Currently, U.S. commercial air service to Haiti’s main airport, Toussaint Louverture International Airport, remains suspended due to ongoing violence.
Before the suspension, Spirit Airlines was the sole major commercial operator flying into Cap-Haïtien. Many travelers have turned to Haiti-based Sunrise Airways, which now offers expanded routes to Boston and Newark or via other Caribbean nations like the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas.
American Airlines will utilize a Boeing 737, accommodating 172 passengers with both main cabin and business-class options available. The airline emphasized Haiti’s substantial demand in the Caribbean, particularly by the Haitian-American community centered in South Florida, New York, and Orlando.
Simultaneously, American Airlines will expand its operations to Venezuela with plans to initiate daily flights from Miami to Maracaibo starting in July. Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava welcomed these developments, describing them as vital for reconnecting communities and enhancing economic opportunities. The restoration of services reaffirms Miami International Airport’s status as a pivotal international hub.
American Airlines’ Senior Vice President, Juan Carlos Liscano, highlighted the significance of Miami as the core for the airline’s extensive network linking the Caribbean and Latin America to the globe. The company currently offers flights to various destinations across the region, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Uruguay, among others.
Reporter Jacqueline Charles from the Miami Herald, known for her extensive coverage on Haiti and the Caribbean, has detailed these developments in her reporting.