JetBlue Airways, the only U.S. airline offering direct flights to Haiti from South Florida and New York, has announced an extension of its suspension of daily flights to the Caribbean nation until at least April 2025. This decision comes in response to the ongoing civil unrest that continues to destabilize the country.
In a statement to the Miami Herald on Thursday, Selma Garcia, a spokesperson for JetBlue, stated, “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 April 30.” She further added, “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and update our plans as necessary.”
The announcement follows the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recent extension of its flight ban on U.S. commercial and cargo flights traveling to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The FAA ban, initially set to expire earlier, has now been extended until March 12, 2024. On the same day as the FAA’s announcement, Haitian officials reopened both Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince and the nearby Guy Malary terminal for domestic flights, signaling some local progress amid the unrest.
However, international travel options to Haiti remain limited. While flights to Toussaint Louverture International Airport are restricted under the FAA ban, Haiti’s other international airport, Hugo Chávez International Airport in Cap-Haïtien, remains exempt. This airport is currently the only operational gateway for international flights into the country. Despite this exemption, Cap-Haïtien faces its own challenges, including recent severe flooding, which has impacted the region.
Flights to Cap-Haïtien continue, including deportation flights from the United States. Advocacy groups like the Haitian Bridge Alliance have strongly criticized these deportations, arguing that they violate U.S. and international laws due to the dangerous conditions in Haiti.
As the situation in Haiti remains precarious, JetBlue’s decision underscores the difficulties faced by airlines and travelers alike. The airline’s suspension reflects the challenges of operating in an environment marked by instability and underscores the need for safety as a top priority. JetBlue’s commitment to reassess the situation highlights its intent to resume operations as soon as conditions improve.
For travelers and Haitians in the diaspora, the suspension of direct flights serves as a reminder of the profound impact of Haiti’s ongoing crisis on mobility and connectivity. Alternative travel options remain scarce, with logistical and safety concerns further complicating journeys to and from the country. JetBlue’s suspension is a critical development that will continue to affect Haitian communities both locally and abroad.
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