Sunrise Airways Suspends Flights Amid Rising Violence in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Sunrise Airways, the national carrier of Haiti, has paused all flights between Port-au-Prince and major cities following a shooting incident at Guy Malary Airport. The suspension, announced on Sunday, Nov. 23, is due to escalating security concerns amid ongoing police operations against gang violence.

The airline’s aircraft came under gunfire shortly before landing after a flight from Les Cayes. In a statement, the airline reported that safety remains its foremost priority, and it will coordinate rebookings and refunds for affected passengers. Other routes to Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Les Cayes, Jérémie, and the United States will continue to operate.

The shooting incident raises alarms as police have intensified anti-gang efforts across the country since Nov. 13, especially in areas surrounding Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Authorities have been notably silent regarding the shooting details, leaving questions about the passengers’ safety unanswered.

<p“A threat to our operations cannot be taken lightly,” a Sunrise Airways communications advisor said. "No risks will be taken until conditions are fully met to operate safely." Increased violence around the airport has witnesses reporting sporadic gunfire, leading to heightened fears among travelers.

This is not the first incident affecting flights in Port-au-Prince; prior shootings led the U.S. FAA to suspend commercial flights to Haiti in November 2024. Although there were discussions to lift the suspension, safety concerns have delayed any changes.

Travel between Haiti’s Grand North and Grand South has also become perilous. Travelers are forced to navigate dangerous national highways while paying illegal tolls to gangs, or resorting to risky sea travel. “The situation has become untenable,” noted a local journalist about the grim travel conditions.

The World Bank has highlighted the economic implications of gang violence, detailing how gangs establish illegal toll stations that create financial independence from political entities. The airlines’ difficulties reflect the broader security crisis affecting all facets of life in Haiti.