PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – United States (US)-based carrier, JetBlue Airways has pushed back the resumption of its flights to the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Haiti, citing ongoing civil unrest and security concerns.
The airline had previously suspended flights until April 30, but now says service will remain halted until at least June 11, 2025.
A spokesperson for JetBlue told the Miami Herald –“Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our customers and crew members. Due to the ongoing civil unrest in Haiti, we have made the decision to suspend all flights to and from the country through at least June 11, 2025. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and update our plans as necessary.”
The announcement comes just one week before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to decide whether to lift or extend its ban on US commercial and cargo flights to Haiti.
That restriction, first imposed in November 2024, is currently in place until March 12. However, with worsening gang violence in Port-au-Prince, it remains unclear if the FAA will allow flights to resume.
The FAA ban was put in place after gangs opened fire on three US planes, injuring a Spirit Airlines flight attendant and forcing airlines to halt all service to Haiti.
Since then, American Airlines and Spirit Airlines have also indefinitely suspended flights, leaving Sunrise Airways as the only carrier connecting Haiti with South Florida via Cap-Haïtien.
Meanwhile, as Port-au-Prince remains cut off, the Haitian government has focused on expanding regional airports to maintain international travel access.
On Thursday , officials announced that the Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes is now equipped to receive international flights after its runway was extended to 5,905 feet.
In January, a similar expansion was completed at Jacmel’s airport ahead of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit.
However, Port-au-Prince’s main airport remains closed to commercial airlines, despite continuing to receive military and diplomatic flights as part of the planned Kenya-led multinational security deployment.