The international airport in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has reopened. A month ago, the country’s main airport was closed after gangs fired at aircraft.
The Latin American island is plagued by severe gang violence. With support from a UN police force from Kenya, authorities are confident that aviation can now resume.
The country’s prime minister sees this as a turning point for Haiti’s economy. However, apart from a test flight, there were no commercial flights on the first day, according to AP.
No airline staff were present at the airport, and access was heavily guarded by soldiers and police. Over the past year, 5,000 deaths have been reported due to shootings or massacres in Haiti.
Armed gangs still dominate large areas of the country. In 2021, President Moïse was killed, and no elections have been held since.
In mid-November, a Spirit Airlines flight from the US was fired upon while attempting to land at Port-au-Prince international airport, injuring a crew member. The plane was diverted.
Two other American flights were also shot at that month. One aircraft was found with bullet holes upon arrival from Haiti in New York.
Due to these incidents, the US decided to cease flights to Port-au-Prince, and this ban has been extended until March 12.
Source: NOS