A severe escalation of violence has directly targeted Haiti’s critical aviation infrastructure, plunging the nation’s air travel into deeper crisis. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince became the scene of a dangerous attack on Sunday when two commercial aircraft operated by Zed Airlines SA were struck by bullets during their final approach for landing.
The National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) and the National Airport Authority (AAN) issued a joint statement vehemently condemning the act, highlighting its grave implications for both passenger safety and the integrity of Haitian airspace. In immediate response to what it termed a ‘force majeure event,’ Zed Airlines announced an indefinite suspension of all its flight operations into Haiti. The carrier stated this decisive action was mandated by international safety protocols and its legal duty to protect passengers and crew.
The airline, a key operator on the Haiti-Brazil route, clarified that any future resumption of services is entirely contingent upon comprehensive technical and safety evaluations, directives from aviation authorities, and the findings of ongoing investigations. This incident has starkly revived security concerns surrounding the airport, echoing a similar episode in 2024 that prompted U.S. aviation regulators to suspend carrier flights after multiple gun attacks.
This attack underscores the extreme volatility and powerful grip of armed gangs that have overwhelmed Haiti’s capital since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The United Nations reports that relentless gang warfare has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced countless more, with significant portions of Port-au-Prince under their control. The targeting of international aviation marks a alarming expansion of the violence, further isolating the embattled Caribbean nation. No casualties have been reported from Sunday’s shooting.