conflict5d ago
US extends ban on flights to Port-au-Prince due to gang violence
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extended a ban on U.S. commercial and civilian aircraft flying below 10,000 feet in Port-au-Prince and parts of central Haiti until March 2, 2026. The restriction originated in November 2025 after gunmen fired at a Spirit Airlines flight during its approach to Toussaint Louverture International Airport, causing minor injuries to a flight attendant and damage to other aircraft. This measure follows persistent gang violence, as gangs currently control an estimated 70% of the capital and significant territory in central Haiti. Police and a U.N.-backed gang suppression force are currently engaged in efforts to counter this gang activity.