American Airlines returns to Haiti with daily Miami–Cap-Haïtien 737 service

American Airlines resumed flights to Haiti on November 1, 2026, ending a suspension of nearly two years that began when gunfire hit aircraft operated by three US carriers near Port-au-Prince. The daily nonstop between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP) makes American the first major US airline back in the Haitian market.

The route uses Boeing 737s and marks American's return to Cap-Haïtien after more than six years. An all-Haitian, Creole-speaking crew led by Captain Oliver Jean operated the inaugural flight.

Why did US carriers leave Haiti?

American, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines suspended Haiti service in November 2024 after aircraft from all three carriers were struck by gunfire near Port-au-Prince.

The trigger came on November 11, 2024. A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 was hit by gunfire while approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP). The crew diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic, where inspectors found damage from multiple bullet strikes. A flight attendant sustained minor injuries. Bullet damage was identified the same day on aircraft operated by American and JetBlue.

The shootings coincided with armed gangs tightening their hold over parts of the Haitian capital. The FAA responded by imposing restrictions on US civil aviation operations in Haitian airspace.

What restrictions still apply?

The FAA's limits remain in force around Port-au-Prince. Covered US aircraft are prohibited from operating below 10,000 feet in designated areas. The current FAA notice runs through March 2, 2027.

Cap-Haïtien sits on Haiti's northern coast, outside the restricted airspace, and has handled international flights without interruption throughout the crisis. The airport now functions as Haiti's principal international gateway, served by Bahamasair, InterCaribbean Airways and Sunrise Airways.

That geography explains the route choice. American is not returning to Port-au-Prince, where the security failures of November 2024 originated. It is restoring service only to the one Haitian airport US regulators judge safe enough for scheduled operations.

What does this change for travelers?

The route restores a direct link primarily for South Florida's large Haitian community, the main traffic base between the two countries. American began serving Haiti in 1971 and previously flew to both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, so the carrier knows the market's economics.

Juan Carlos Liscano, American's Senior Vice President of Miami Operations, framed the return in community terms. "The connection between the United States and Haiti is incredibly meaningful, which is especially true in South Florida," he said. "We know the critical role air service plays in linking countries and communities, so we're beyond proud to reinstate such a consequential connection for so many."

The timing carries symbolic weight for the airline. American says the restored service makes Cap-Haïtien its 100th destination in Latin America and the Caribbean, arriving in its centennial year.

The route also fits a broader expansion at Miami. American now operates more than 410 daily flights there during peak periods, serving over 170 destinations across 46 countries.

What remains unresolved?

Three caveats temper the announcement. First, Port-au-Prince service remains off the table while FAA restrictions stay in effect through March 2027, and their extension beyond that date is plausible given conditions on the ground. Second, JetBlue and Spirit have not announced returns, so American's claim to be first among US majors rests on a field of one so far. Third, daily 737 service to a single secondary airport restores only part of the pre-2024 US–Haiti capacity, which centered on Port-au-Prince.

The restoration shows what scheduled US service to Haiti can look like under current constraints: one carrier, one airport, one daily frequency, with the capital's airspace still closed below 10,000 feet.