American Airlines has resumed flights to Haiti, launching a daily nonstop service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP) starting November 1. This makes American the first major U.S. airline to restore operations in the country since flights were suspended due to escalating security concerns in 2024. The inaugural flight featured an all-Haitian crew, highlighting the cultural ties to the Haitian diaspora and local communities.
However, the new service does not include Port-au-Prince, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to restrict U.S. commercial flights to the capital due to security threats, such as armed attacks on aircraft. Instead, American Airlines opted for Cap-Haïtien, located in northern Haiti, facilitating connections through Miami while avoiding the airport categorized as a high-risk area.
American Restores Haiti Service With A Daily Miami Connection
The daily flights to Cap-Haïtien reconnect travelers with northern Haiti, a route American previously serviced between 2014 and 2020. Although the airline has operated in Haiti since 1971, this marks its return to Cap-Haïtien after a six-year hiatus. Utilizing Boeing 737 aircraft, the new flights will provide over 90 onward connections to destinations across the United States from Miami, specifically beneficial for Haitian-American communities in areas like New York and Orlando.
American Airlines described Cap-Haïtien as its 100th destination in the Caribbean and Latin America, a milestone that underscores the airline’s extensive network in the region. José A. Freig, Vice President of International Operations, expressed pride in this achievement, linking it to the airline’s legacy of regional growth. “The continued growth of our network in the region — including being the first airline to return to Venezuela earlier this year — is a reflection of the legacy we’ve built and one we’re proud to carry forward,” Freig stated.
The service to Cap-Haïtien is significant, particularly as it caters to travelers visiting family, conducting business, or returning home, thus restoring vital options that had been unavailable since the suspension of U.S. flights. Nonetheless, it does not indicate that the overall security situation in Haiti has improved.
Geographical factors contribute to the opening of Cap-Haïtien while Port-au-Prince remains restricted. Following incidents of gunfire targeting aircraft near the capital in 2024, U.S. carriers suspended services, and the FAA imposed regulations that limited operations in the area. Cap-Haïtien is outside these restrictions, positioning it as an essential access point for travelers entering Haiti.
The new Miami-Cap-Haïtien flights represent a pivotal re-entry into the U.S.-Haiti air market. Future developments regarding potential service to Port-au-Prince will hinge on improvements in security conditions and any changes to the FAA’s operational restrictions.
