American Airlines has announced its return to Haiti, marking a significant development for travelers and the Haitian diaspora after more than a year of suspended operations.
The U.S.-based carrier will resume daily nonstop flights between Miami and Cap-Haïtien beginning November 1, restoring a key air link between Haiti and South Florida.
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American Airlines had served Haiti for over five decades before suspending flights to Port-au-Prince and later halting operations indefinitely in December 2024. The suspension followed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ban on U.S. commercial flights to the Haitian capital after several aircraft were struck by gang-related gunfire amid worsening insecurity.
The airline’s renewed service will utilize a Boeing 737 aircraft configured with 172 seats, including 156 seats in the main cabin and 16 in business class.
American first began serving Cap-Haïtien’s international airport in 2014 after major runway repairs made regular commercial operations possible. However, the route was discontinued in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption of service comes as commercial flights to Port-au-Prince’s main gateway, Toussaint Louverture International Airport, remain suspended due to ongoing gang violence in the capital. In recent years, Cap-Haïtien has become an increasingly important alternative entry point for travelers heading to Haiti.
Haiti’s Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, welcomed the announcement while visiting Boston to support Haiti’s national football team during its return to FIFA World Cup competition after a 52-year absence. Describing the airline’s decision as a positive step, he referred to it as an early victory for the country.
The absence of major U.S. carriers has forced many Haitians and Haitian-Americans to rely on regional airlines, including Sunrise Airways, or travel through destinations such as The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. New operators have also entered the market, including Zed Airlines, which recently launched flights between Miami and Cap-Haïtien.
In announcing the route, American Airlines noted that Haiti remains the largest Caribbean market by passenger demand not currently served by a U.S. airline. The company highlighted the strong ties between Haiti and South Florida, home to the largest Haitian-American community in the United States, as well as growing demand from cities such as New York and Orlando.
The expansion is part of a broader regional growth strategy that also includes new daily nonstop service between Miami and Maracaibo, Venezuela, beginning July 14.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava praised the airline’s decision, stating that the restored connections will help reunite families, create economic opportunities, and strengthen longstanding cultural and commercial ties between South Florida and communities across the Caribbean and Latin America.
American Airlines executives emphasized that Miami remains the carrier’s primary gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America. With service to approximately 100 destinations throughout the region, company officials described the return to Haiti as a major milestone that will enhance connectivity and provide travelers with greater access to one of the Caribbean’s most important markets.
