American Airlines Resumes Flights to Haiti’s Cap-Haïtien

American Airlines, a major U.S. carrier, is resuming its daily nonstop flights between Miami and Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, starting November 1. This decision marks the airline’s return to the country after more than a year-long hiatus.

Prior to this suspension, American Airlines had maintained service to Haiti for over 50 years. However, safety concerns prompted a halt in service to Port-au-Prince flights in December 2024, following a Federal Aviation Administration ban after incidents of aircraft being fired upon by gangs.

The airline’s history in Cap-Haïtien dates back to 2014, when it was the first major airline to offer commercial service following runway repairs. However, this service was canceled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Haitian Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, currently in Boston for his country’s World Cup match, praised the airline’s return, seeing it as a positive step for Haiti.

American Airlines will utilize a Boeing 737 with a 172-seat capacity, including 156 in the main cabin and 16 in business class. The return to Cap-Haïtien coincides with the ongoing suspension of flights to Port-au-Prince due to increasing gang violence. Prior to the suspension, Spirit Airlines was the primary carrier offering flights to Cap-Haïtien.

The suspension of flights has led to Haitians incurring higher travel costs while using alternatives like Sunrise Airways or traveling via the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas. Recently, Zed Airlines also began operating flights between Miami and Cap-Haïtien.

American Airlines describes Haiti as the largest Caribbean market by passenger demand not currently served by a U.S. carrier. With significant Haitian communities in South Florida, New York City, and Orlando, the resumption of service provides much-needed travel connections.

Adding to its expansion plans, American Airlines will commence daily nonstop flights between Miami and Maracaibo, Venezuela, on July 14.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava expressed enthusiasm about the added routes, noting their importance in reconnecting communities and fostering economic opportunities.

American Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Nat Piepe emphasized the company’s commitment to offering extensive travel options across the Caribbean and Latin America. Currently, the airline services 100 destinations in the region.

The Miami hub plays a central role for American Airlines’ operations, connecting the Caribbean and Latin America with global destinations, as noted by Senior Vice President Juan Carlos Liscano.