American Airlines is back flying to Port-au-Prince, Haiti after service was halted in March following planes being hit by bullets at the airport as violent gangs under the direction of Jimmy Chérizier (“Barbecue”) attacked.
The airline’s pilots seem comfortable going back though of course under normal operations will not be overnighting there – so not venturing farther afield than the airport, where U.S. military are present.
Crews flying to Haiti will likely notice a heightened security presence at the airport, including new guard towers along the northern perimeter wall, the presence of the U.S. military on the eastern side of the field (which continues operating several C-17 flights daily in and out of PAP), and the destruction of many squatter houses along the northern perimeter where gangs had taken up residence. U.S. security forces are aiding the Haitian National Police to secure the perimeter and ensure the roads between Port-au-Prince and the airport are safe.
…American Airlines has established contingency plans addressing maintenance issues, OAL transport, rescue flights, and as a last resort, secure transportation in armored vehicles to secure lodging where the U.S. military and UN forces stay.
Airline crew travel the world, including to some unstable places. They face personal risks as they travel between airports and their hotels, like the American Airlines crew that was robbed at gunpoint before a San José, Costa Rica to Miami flight. And that’s a destination generally considered relatively safe.
Caracas flights featured military pulling suitcases off of flights to loot them. When a bridge collapsed due to total disregard for infrastructure maintenance, an Iberia crew had to sail to the airport. Flight attendants working Caracas flights were being given advice on how to avoid kidnappings.
Haiti’s problems are often blamed on French colonialism and reparations taken by France after the country’s independence. But those were expunged in 1947. What’s striking is the economic divergence of Haiti and the Dominican Republic starting in the 1960s. The two countries started the period with a similar standard of living. The D.R.’s has grown eight-fold, while Haiti’s has not improved in 70 years. That’s suggestive, at least, that Haiti’s problems are home-grown including massive corruption. Disney used to manufacture there! It was largely replaced by the drug trade.
Crews are nowhere in more danger than exotic destinations like Chicago, Detroit, Oakland, St. Louis, etc. Crew safety is almost always a convenient excuse for unions to save low seniority cabin crew from going to places they don’t prefer.
@Gary Leff: Thank you for the heads-up on traveling to Port-Au-Prince this weekend. Passengers will get great value when using their AAdvantage Miles from Miami, Florida, to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. AA819 is only 12K AAdvantage miles plus $18.10 taxes or $105 US for AA Basic Economy tickets. Currently, the coach seat selection options are excellent.
Of course the pilots are comfortable with it. I’d be shocked if they didn’t secure double or triple premium pay to fly down into that septic tank.
@Ken A
I’m kind of curious to see what’s going on in Haiti today for myself. Do you recommend a trip?
Spirit has had a procedure on the books for over a decade to do a “hot turn” at PAP if the APU craps out. Yes, they would keep number 1 turning and deplane/board an Airbus out the galley side. Only in Haiti.
I’ve been to PAP during “better” times on business. Nice people, some nice areas, but don’t go outside the walls of wherever you’re housed. Airport authority there is a blast to deal with. The major ground handler… well, their owner lives in Plantation, FL. One of a handful of places where I kinda wondered if the magnometer was even plugged in at the security checkpoint.
@Mak, as someone who has been going to Haiti for a long time, I’d suggest you wait and let things settle down. Once the Kenyan led consortium gets on the ground we will have a better idea of when (and if) things get more stable. It is one thing to be able to fly into the PAP airport. But you can be sure gangs and others are going to be watching those leaving the airport premises and probably targeting some of those people. Just because the airport is more secure than recently doesn’t equate to the rest of Port-au-Prince being any safer at this time.
@Dunkin – have you actually been to Haiti? Maybe try visiting somewhere before you label it a “septic tank”. The people down there are trying and fighting through atrocious circumstances. While the current situation is awful; the people and culture of the everyday Haitian is remarkable, and far from deserving of your Monday morning quarterbacking from your barcolounger in the US.
@Mak: Yes. I recommend a same-day round trip to Haiti using American Airlines flight 819. You can depart Miami at 7:00 AM with a scheduled arrival in Port-au-Price at 9:05 AM. Before landing, you should be able to view the gangs surrounding the airport. Fortunately, you can leave PAP one hour later because AA819 has a scheduled departure at 10:05, arriving in Miami at 12:15 PM.
Chris says, “You can be sure gangs and others are going to be watching those leaving the airport premises and probably targeting some of those people.” Accordingly, I do not recommend leaving the PAP Toussaint Louverture International Airport for your safety. In addition, the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for Haiti is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Furthermore, NedsKid says: “Nice people, some nice areas, but don’t go outside the walls of wherever you’re housed.” I agree. If you have an American Express Platinum Card, you get complimentary access to the Miami Centurion Lounge three hours before departure. Enjoy the wonderful Miami Turkish Airlines Lounges using your complimentary Priority Pass card from AMEX. Don’t forget to enjoy the American Airlines Admirals Club in Miami near gate D15 with a membership. Of course, during your flight, relax and enjoy the complimentary movies and entertainment offered during your American Airlines flight.
I hope you have a relaxing, low-cost weekend trip to Haiti on American Airlines.
Thanks to Ken A and others for your advice. I guess I’ll give it a miss for now.
Is there really no place at all in PAP to be in relative safety? I know it’s not Geneva or Tokyo but is it really all that bad if you stay away from the slums?
I assume you’re going for work?
Flying over Hispaniola (the island shared by the DR and Haiti) enroute to South Am is mind-boggling. The DR side is lush and green, the Haitian side is completely barren (they cut down the trees for firewood).
Remarkable contrast from 35,000 feet
Vasu would have been ok with this as long as they flew from CLT. RIP Vasu.