Dominican Republic: Authorities maintaining airspace closure to all flights to and from Haiti as of early March 6 /update 1

The government of the Dominican Republic is maintaining its closure of the nation's airspace to all flights to and from Haiti as of early March 6. While authorities have not given a specific reason for the move, the Civil Aviation Board (Junta de Aviacion Civil, JAC) invoked Article 9 of the International Civil Aviation Convention empowering signatory states to close their airspace during periods of emergency or in the interest of public safety. It remains unclear how long the closure will remain in force.

The airspace closure is almost certainly in response to widespread violence and civil unrest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, particularly near Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP). Flights between Dominican Republic and Haiti will almost certainly be disrupted over the coming days. If flights resume, lingering disruptions are likely as authorities work through the backlog of flights.