Southern Haiti is set to receive a major infrastructure boost after the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a non-reimbursable grant of up to $69 million to modernize Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes and rehabilitate a critical section of National Road No. 2 (RN2).
Announced on June 24, the investment is designed to strengthen transportation infrastructure, improve public safety, and support long-term economic development across Haiti’s Grand Sud region.
A significant portion of the funding will be used to transform Antoine Simon Airport into a modern regional gateway capable of meeting international aviation safety standards and accommodating future passenger demand through 2045.
The modernization project will be completed in phases, allowing airport operations to continue throughout construction. Planned improvements include widening the runway to 30 meters, upgrading the aircraft apron and pavement markings, installing modern runway lighting and navigation systems, improving weather monitoring equipment, and constructing a new air traffic control tower. The project also includes a new perimeter security fence and an aircraft rescue and firefighting facility to enhance airport safety.
According to the IDB, these upgrades will improve the airport’s ability to serve passengers, cargo, humanitarian missions, and emergency response efforts while providing southern Haiti with a stronger aviation hub.
The investment also includes the rehabilitation of approximately 11 kilometers of National Road No. 2 between Étang de Miragoâne and Carrefour Moussignac. The highway is one of Haiti’s most important transportation corridors, connecting Port-au-Prince with the country’s southern departments.
Officials say the road improvements will make travel safer, reduce travel times, and improve the movement of people, goods, and services throughout the region. The upgraded roadway is also expected to strengthen connections with other major infrastructure projects, including the Port of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and the Les Cayes–Jérémie road corridor.
The IDB estimates the project will directly benefit approximately 61,000 annual air travelers and more than 6,500 users of the RN2 corridor by improving safety, accessibility, and transportation efficiency.
As Haiti continues to invest in rebuilding and modernizing its infrastructure, officials hope projects like these will strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and create new opportunities for communities across the country’s southern peninsula.
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