December 22, 2024
On December 17, 2024, a charter flight operated by Aeroregional departed from Toussaint Louverture International Airport to Brazil, marking the resumption of commercial flights after a prolonged suspension. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this flight represents “a key step in reviving economic activities and restoring national security.”
This milestone is part of the Haitian government’s efforts, led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, to secure the country’s strategic infrastructure, including the airport. The government has also intensified negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to lift restrictions on U.S. carriers, currently in effect until March 12, 2025.
The airport’s reopening on December 11 followed a temporary ban on commercial flights, imposed after serious incidents in November where aircraft were hit by gunfire. These events led the FAA to restrict Haitian airspace, severely impacting international connections.
The Prime Minister hailed this inaugural flight as a symbolic victory and a step toward normalization. In the statement, he reiterated his government’s commitment to “ensuring the safety of every citizen and definitively neutralizing armed gangs.”
Although challenges remain, particularly in convincing international airlines to fully resume operations, this inaugural flight is an encouraging sign for Haiti as it pursues stability and economic recovery.