Haiti's Toussaint-Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince resumed operations on Monday after a three-month closure due to rampant gang violence. However, only local carrier Sunrise Airways is currently serving the airport, with US-based airlines expected to start flying in May or June.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Haiti's Toussaint-Louverture International Airport reopened on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the country's ongoing struggle against gang violence. The airport's closure since early March had severely limited access to essential supplies, including medication.
Currently, only Sunrise Airways, a local carrier, is operating flights out of Port-au-Prince. US-based airlines are expected to resume service later in May or early June. Before the airport's reopening, Cap-Haitien Airport in the north was the sole operating airport, but it remained inaccessible to many due to gang activity on roads leading to the capital.
The airport's closure had forced the U.S. government and non-profit organizations to evacuate hundreds of Americans and other citizens by helicopter. The violence, which began on February 29th, included gunmen seizing police stations, attacking the airport, and freeing over 4,000 inmates from prisons.
Gangs have since targeted previously peaceful communities, leaving thousands homeless. According to the United Nations, over 2,500 people were killed or injured from January to March, a significant increase from the same period last year.
At the airport's reopening, manager Klav-Dja Raphael expressed both relief and trepidation. "We are scared because they can still attack us here," she said. "We must come in. It’s our job, but we’re afraid."
Despite the lingering fear, the airport's resumption provides a much-needed lifeline for Haiti. Dozens of people queued at the Sunrise Airways counter, eager to board flights. "I’m very happy, but it hurts that I’m leaving my husband and my son," said Darling Antoine, who received a visa to live in the U.S. but must leave her family behind.
Jean Doovenskey, an accountant who had lost his job due to the violence, expressed hope for the future. "We’ve suffered for a long time," he said. "I believe in a new Haiti."
Meanwhile, international efforts are underway to address the gang crisis. U.S. military planes have landed at the airport with supplies and civilian contractors. Kenya, in collaboration with other countries, is preparing to deploy police officers to assist in quelling the violence.
Despite the challenges faced, the reopening of Port-au-Prince International Airport marks a crucial step in Haiti's recovery. It provides hope for the future and a channel for essential aid and resources to reach those in need.
