Haiti reopens international airport

 Haiti’s international airport reopened on Wednesday, exactly one month after it was closed when members of criminal gangs fired upon commercial aircraft landing at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, injuring at least one flight attendant from Spirit Airlines.

“The resumption of commercial flights marks a turning point for the Haitian economy. It restores essential connectivity for international trade, encourages investment, and supports key sectors such as trade, tourism and entrepreneurship,”  said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.

However,  no flights or passengers have been reported at the international airport. The Guy Malary terminal, which serves domestic flights, also reopened on Wednesday.

Several international airlines that used to operate in Haiti, including American Airlines and Spirit Airlines  have canceled their flights to the country until further notice

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)had instituted restrictions barring US  airlines from flying to and from Haiti, where criminal gangs have been seeing to overthrow the government since the assassination of President Joenel Moise in July 2021.

As a result of the FAA restrictions, measures that have been put in place include increased security around the airport, established through enhanced patrols and checkpoints coordinated between Haitian National Police and additional support from Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission

There has been a heavy police presence following the reopening, with heavy police presence and various checkpoints discouraging public transportation in the area.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti,  Dec 11, CMC