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After a nearly three-month closure due to gang violence, Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport reopened to commercial flights on Monday. However, the return to normalcy remains tentative, with only one airline currently operating and continued security concerns.
Sunrise Airways, the sole carrier to announce a resumption of service so far, is offering flights between Port-au-Prince and Miami on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The first commercial departure since March took off Monday afternoon, marking a small step towards reconnection for the island nation.
The reopening comes amidst ongoing unrest in the capital. Gangs, who had previously targeted the airport itself, continue to exert significant control over Port-au-Prince. This violence has deterred other airlines, with American Airlines citing “civil unrest” for their suspension of flights until at least May 29th.
The airport closure stemmed from coordinated attacks launched by gangs in early March. These attacks aimed to oust then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was stranded abroad due to the airport’s insecurity. Henry has since resigned, and a transitional ruling council now faces the daunting task of restoring order and appointing a new interim leader.
However, a glimmer of hope arrives in the form of a UN-backed multinational security mission as Kenya is set to deploy police officers to Haiti in the coming days, with an advance team already conducting reconnaissance. This deployment coincides with a planned state visit by Kenyan President William Ruto to the United States. The success of the mission will be crucial in determining Haiti’s ability to stabilize and reopen its vital air corridor.
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