Haiti Airspace
Current Status
Haitian airspace (MTEG FIR) operates under severely degraded conditions due to the ongoing gang crisis that has engulfed Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas since 2024. Armed gangs control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince, and violence has repeatedly affected Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the country's main gateway.
Commercial airline service has been drastically reduced. Most international carriers have suspended Port-au-Prince operations, with only a limited number of flights operating on an irregular basis. The airport has experienced temporary closures due to gunfire in surrounding areas. Diplomatic, humanitarian, and UN flights constitute the majority of current air traffic.
ATC services are minimal, with staffing and equipment challenges exacerbated by the security crisis. The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission has deployed to Haiti, adding military and security aviation to an already strained airspace management environment. Cap-Haitien in the north remains a secondary gateway with better security conditions.
Key Risks
Toussaint Louverture Airport is surrounded by gang-controlled territory, with gunfire and security incidents affecting operations.
Staffing shortages, equipment failures, and security conditions have reduced ATC to minimal levels.
Aircraft on approach and departure at Port-au-Prince face potential exposure to small arms fire from gang-controlled areas.
Multinational security mission aviation adds complexity to the limited ATC environment.
Recent Events
Port-au-Prince airport closed for three days after gang confrontations in the Tabarre district near the runway threshold.
MSS mission expanded helicopter operations for security patrols, requiring coordination with civil ATC.
Spirit Airlines and JetBlue indefinitely suspended Port-au-Prince services, leaving only charter and humanitarian flights.
Gang violence forced emergency closure of Port-au-Prince airport for multiple weeks, stranding hundreds of passengers.
EASA & FAA Guidance
The FAA has issued a Special Federal Aviation Regulation prohibiting US civil aviation operations within Haiti below FL180 without prior authorization, citing the security threat from armed gangs. EASA has advised EU operators to avoid operations at Port-au-Prince and to exercise extreme caution for any operations within the MTEG FIR. Both agencies note the degraded ATC and airport security conditions.
Related
This page provides publicly available information about airspace conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) for operational decisions.