American Airlines Resumes Service to Haiti and Expands to Venezuela

American Airlines is resuming its flights to Haiti after a pause lasting over a year. Starting November 1, the airline will provide daily nonstop service between Miami and Cap-Haitien. The decision to return was announced on Friday.

American Airlines had been serving Haiti for more than five decades before ceasing operations into Port-au-Prince in December 2024. The suspension followed a Federal Aviation Administration ban due to security concerns, including incidents of gang gunfire hitting aircraft.

In 2014, American Airlines was the first major commercial airline to land at Cap-Haïtien’s international airport following necessary runway repairs. However, service was canceled six years later amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé of Haiti, who watched his country’s national soccer team play in the FIFA World Cup, expressed optimism about the upcoming flights, calling it a victory for Haiti.

“This is the first Haitian victory in the World Cup,” he told the Miami Herald.

This flight operation will utilize a Boeing 737, accommodating 172 passengers, with seating divided between 156 in the main cabin and 16 in business class. Meanwhile, Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince remains closed to U.S. commercial airlines due to ongoing gang violence.

Before American Airlines resumed its service, Spirit Airlines was the sole major airline flying into Cap-Haïtien from Fort Lauderdale. With this disruption, travelers to Haiti paid elevated fares, utilizing regional airlines like Sunrise Airways and Zed Airlines. The Dominican Republic has also recently allowed flights connecting to Haiti.

American Airlines highlighted the significance of Haiti as the largest unserved Caribbean market for U.S. carriers, emphasizing the sizeable Haitian-American communities in South Florida, New York City, and Orlando, who will benefit from these direct flights.

In addition to expanding service to Haiti, American Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights between Miami International Airport and Maracaibo, Venezuela, beginning July 14.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava welcomed these developments, acknowledging the positive impact on families, economic opportunities, and longstanding relationships between South Florida and these communities.

“These additions reinforce Miami International Airport’s status as a leading international hub and demonstrate the commitment of our largest carrier to connecting our community globally,” Mayor Cava said.

American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Nat Piepe stated the airline’s dedication to meeting traveler needs, with the broadest range of flights in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Senior Vice President Juan Carlos Liscano also reflected this sentiment, affirming the importance of American’s Miami hub for connecting the region with the world.

Jacqueline Charles from the Miami Herald has been covering Haiti and the Caribbean for over a decade and was recognized as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her coverage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.