Two Years After Gunfire Hit Aircraft, American Airlines Returns To Haiti

American Airlines has opened flights to Cap-Haitien International airport (CAP), restoring service between the U.S. and Haiti for the first time since November 2024, when gunfire hitting aircraft over Port-au-Prince led U.S. carriers to suspend operations to the Caribbean country.

American will operate daily service between Miami and CAP with a Boeing 737 aircraft.

American, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines dropped service to Haiti after aircraft operated by all three carriers were hit by ground-fired bullets over Port-au-Prince while operating into Toussaint Louverture International airport (PAP) on Nov. 11, 2024. At the time, the U.S. embassy in Haiti reported “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince.” InterCaribbean Airlines and Canada’s Air Transat also dropped service to PAP in November 2024.

The Haitian capital is currently only served by domestic carrier Sunrise Airways.

American will now fly to Cap-Haitien instead, a city the airline has not served for more than six years. It immediately becomes the largest carrier at CAP, operating 2,408 two-way weekly seats for the week commencing Nov. 2, according to OAG Schedules Analyzer data.

CAP is also served by Bahamasair, Caicos Express Airways, charter carrier Euroairlines, InterCaribbean and Sunrise.

American noted CAP becomes its 100th destination in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The connection between the U.S. and Haiti is incredibly meaningful, which is especially true in South Florida,” American Senior Vice President of Miami Operations Juan Carlos Liscano said. “We know the critical role air service plays in linking countries and communities.”