American Airlines Exits Haiti Indefinitely

The consequences of a series of gunfire strikes involving US commercial airplanes in Haiti last month are still emerging. After American Airlines suspended its flights to the country until early next year, it has now decided to extend the suspension indefinitely. Some US carriers were targeted in Haiti in November, and they are not rushing back to start operations in the country anytime soon.

American Airlines suspends Haiti flights indefinitely

American Airlines has updated its stance on Haiti flights after suspending them last month due to its aircraft being hit by bullets while landing in Haiti. The airline has now suspended the flights indefinitely.

Simple Flying previously reported that American Airlines canceled its nonstop service between its hub in Miami and Port-au-Prince, Haiti until February next year. But according to CBS News, a spokesperson for the carrier said that the suspension has been extended indefinitely.

As of now, there are no plans anytime soon for American to start Haiti service, but a decision could be made later about possibly restarting them in late 2025. American Airlines resumed Miami-Haiti flights in May after a period of violence in the country that also led to many evacuation flights to bring back US citizens.

FAA allowed flight resumption to Northern Haiti

Following the November incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned US carriers from flying to Haiti until the safety of such operations was properly re-evaluated.

Later in November, the agency revised the ban and said that airlines can fly to six airports in the northern region of the Caribbean country, but flights to Haiti’s main airport serving its capital, Port-au-Prince, would still be suspended. It said that airlines could fly to the following six cities:

• Port-de-Paix
• Cap-Haitien
• Pignon
• Jeremie
• Antoine-Simon
• Jacmel

Airlines not hurrying back

So far, there has been no real interest among US carriers to rush back to restarting Haiti flights. Flights from three airlines were targeted in November when they were hit by bullets. Aircraft belonging to Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue were involved in the incidents.

On November 12, a Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo flying from Fort Lauderdale was targeted with gunshots as it approached Port-Au-Prince. This is not a common emergency that the crew are prepared for and, as a result, they were taken by surprise.

One of the flight attendants also received an injury and had to be evaluated by medical personnel upon landing. The aircraft’s examination revealed that there were several bullet holes found on its underside, in the cabin near a door, and on the overhead bins.

One of American Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX planes operating between Miami and Port-au-Prince was also targeted, and the damage was revealed upon a post-flight inspection. The airline later confirmed that the exterior of the aircraft had, in fact, been impacted by a bullet.

JetBlue was also affected by this. One of its aircraft, operating Flight 935 from Haiti to New York, was struck by gunfire.

So far, these airlines have not resumed Haiti operations, and a lack of any other announcements regarding flight resumption suggests they are not exactly in a hurry.