American Airlines has decided not to restart its flights to Haiti in February, citing the worsening violence in the country. The airline had previously planned to resume its daily flights from Miami to Port-au-Prince but announced that safety concerns have forced them to reconsider.
In a statement, a spokesperson for American Airlines said the decision was not easy. “We’re proud of our more than 50 years of commitment to Haiti,” the airline said, “but safety and security remain our top priorities. We’ll continue to evaluate the situation and hope to return when conditions improve.” Impacted passengers will receive full refunds for their tickets.
American Airlines isn’t alone in its decision to suspend service. Spirit and JetBlue had already pulled their flights to Haiti after recent incidents of violence, including gunfire that struck planes. These events come amid growing unrest in the country, where gang violence has spiraled out of control.
The situation in Haiti is dire. The United Nations reports that more than 4,500 people have been killed this year, with thousands more injured. In just the past month, 42,000 people have been forced to leave their homes due to the violence, according to UNICEF.
Tragedy struck again recently in the Cite Soleil neighborhood, where a gang killed at least 110 elderly residents, accusing them of witchcraft after the gang leader’s child fell ill. The gang reportedly used machetes and knives to carry out the horrific attack, according to a human rights group.
Haiti’s leadership has also been in turmoil. Last month, Prime Minister Garry Conille was removed from office and replaced by businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, adding to the nation’s instability.
The U.S. government continues to warn against travel to Haiti, citing the unpredictable and dangerous conditions. “Traveling within Haiti is at your own risk,” the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince recently stated, urging Americans to carefully consider their safety before entering the country.
For now, airlines like American are standing by, waiting for a safer time to resume service to a nation facing one of its toughest challenges yet.
