Tensions escalated near Haiti’s capital on Monday as clashes between rival armed groups in the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac area spilled dangerously close to Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Gunfire reached the airport’s perimeter, and a stray bullet struck a window inside an administrative building, raising immediate safety concerns. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
In response to the incident, Sunrise Airways, Haiti’s primary domestic and regional carrier, announced the suspension of all flights to and from Port-au-Prince for the remainder of the day. The airline emphasized that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution as the security situation near the airport deteriorated.
“There were gunshots at the airport. Flights are suspended for the day,” said Stéphanie Armand, communications director for Sunrise Airways, in a statement to The Haitian Times. The airline urged affected passengers to reach out directly for assistance, rebooking, and updates, noting that operations would resume only when it was safe to do so.
The incident comes amid ongoing violence in several neighborhoods across Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, including Duvivier, Marin, Fuji, Blancha, Terre Noire, and Sarthe. Rival gangs—some previously aligned under coalitions such as “Viv Ansanm”—have reignited territorial battles, leaving residents caught in the crossfire.
Reports from the ground indicate that many families have been trapped inside their homes for days due to heavy gunfire. Others have fled on foot through wooded areas, seeking refuge in central parts of the capital, including Champ-de-Mars, before attempting to reach relatively safer zones like Carrefour.
While no casualties were reported in connection with the airport incident, the situation underscores the ongoing vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Haiti to surrounding violence. By mid-afternoon on April 20, operations at the nearby Guy Malary domestic terminal appeared to continue in limited capacity, though concerns remained high.
The suspension of flights was temporary. On Tuesday, April 21, Sunrise Airways confirmed that flights to and from Port-au-Prince had resumed following an improvement in local security conditions. The airline stated it would continue to closely monitor the situation, maintaining that passenger and staff safety remains its top priority.
As instability persists in and around the capital, Monday’s events serve as a stark reminder of how quickly violence can disrupt essential services and daily life across Haiti.
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