Haiti: US announces charter flight for valid US passport holders as of March 16. Flight disruptions likely nationwide until late March /update 5

The US embassy announced on March 16 that it is arranging a charter flight for US citizens with a valid US passport from Cap-Haitien to the US, depending on the stability of the security situation in the city. Those interested in leaving must procure their own overland travel to Cap-Haitien and fill out the Department of State crisis intake form here. The US embassy further reminds those interested that overland trips from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien present significant risks, and travel to Cap-Haitien Airport should only be considered if safety measures, including reliable transportation arrangements, are thoroughly planned and adhered to.

Major flight disruptions will likely continue at airports across Haiti, including at Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) as well as at Cap-Haitien International Airport (CAP), through at least late March. As of March 15, nearly all commercial flights at the airports had been canceled. Air Caraibes (TX), Air Century (Y2), American Airlines (AA), InterCaribbean Airways (JY), JetBlue Airways (B6), Spirit Airlines (NK), and Sunrise Airways (S6), as well as cargo airline Amerijet International (M6), have all suspended flights following a surge in gang violence that included gunfire reportedly striking aircraft on the tarmac at PAP. While some services may be intermittently restored, airlines will likely delay, cancel, or otherwise modify scheduled flights on short notice in response to the situation in Port-au-Prince.

As a result of the violence, the Canadian and US governments have reiterated their advice to their respective citizens not to travel to Haiti, and civil aviation authorities in the Dominican Republic have recommended that airlines avoid all services to PAP. These warnings may prompt additional flight cancellations should violence remain elevated in the capital.