FAA Extends Flight Ban on Port-au-Prince Until September 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its ban on U.S. flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, until September 8, 2025, citing ongoing dangers from armed gangs that have significantly escalated violence in the region. The ban, initially imposed in November 2024 after gunfire struck U.S. commercial planes, remains in place due to the high risks posed by gangs controlling large portions of the capital. Major airlines like American Airlines and JetBlue have suspended flights indefinitely, focusing travel operations on safer regional airports, with Cap-Haïtien becoming the primary hub for flights to and from the U.S. Despite some airport expansions in northern Haiti, the FAA warns that gangs continue to threaten safety during takeoffs and landings. The situation in Haiti is dire, with over one million people displaced and a call for international support to bolster security forces. The FAA's decision reflects a broader concern for civil aviation safety amidst escalating gang violence.