May 21st 2024.
Three months had passed since authorities were forced to suspend all air traffic in Haiti due to ongoing gang violence. But on May 20th, the Toussaint-Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince finally reopened, bringing a glimmer of hope to the struggling country. The airport's reopening was crucial in bringing in much-needed supplies, such as medication and other essential items, to a nation in dire need. Prior to this, the only operational airport was located in Cap-Haïtien, north of the capital city, which made it difficult for Haitians to leave the country as roads were controlled by violent gangs.
The violence had escalated to a point where the U.S. government and nonprofit organizations had to evacuate hundreds of American citizens by helicopter. However, with the airport now open, U.S. military planes have returned, carrying vital supplies and civilian contractors to assist in preparing for the arrival of foreign forces. The hope is that these forces will help mitigate the violence that has been unleashed by the gangs, who currently hold control over 80% of the capital.
The initial outbreak of violence occurred on February 29th, when armed gunmen took over police stations, opened fire at the Port-au-Prince airport, and stormed Haiti's two largest prisons, resulting in the release of over 4,000 prisoners. Since then, the gangs have continued their siege, targeting quiet communities and leaving thousands of people homeless. According to a United Nations report, between January and March of this year, over 2,500 people have been killed or injured, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period last year.
Although the airport has reopened to the public, only one local carrier, Sunrise Airways, is currently operating flights in and out of Port-au-Prince. U.S.-based airlines are not expected to resume flights until late May or June. The first commercial passenger flight since the airport's closure departed for Miami, but it was delayed by almost two hours. Passengers complained of the intense heat due to the lack of air conditioning until takeoff, and there was a collective sense of relief when the plane finally took off.
Sunrise Airways has contracted with World Atlantic, a Florida-based charter airline, to assist with flights. On the first flight, passengers were given paper towels to cool off, highlighting the challenges that still exist in Haiti's recovery. Airport worker Klav-Dja Raphael, who had been out of work for a month due to the airport closure, is excited to return to her job. However, she and her colleagues still have concerns about the possibility of another attack by the gangs. The memory of bullets ricocheting through the airport on the day of the initial attack is still fresh in their minds. "We are scared because they can still attack us here," Raphael stated. "We must come in. It's our job, but we're afraid."
The airport attack also had political repercussions, as former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was locked out of the country while on a trip to Kenya. He ultimately resigned, and a transitional presidential council is currently searching for a new prime minister. In addition to this, the council is responsible for forming a new Cabinet and organizing general elections. In March 2024, Kenya and Haiti signed agreements to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help combat the violence. The plans are currently in the final stages, with Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Bangladesh also expected to provide support, although a specific date has not been determined yet.
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