FAA extends Haiti flight restrictions through September 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended restrictions on certain U.S. flight operations in Haiti’s airspace through Sept. 3, 2026, citing persistent security risks linked to gang violence.

In a notice issued March 2, the agency said U.S. airlines, U.S.-registered aircraft and pilots licensed by the FAA are prohibited from flying below 10,000 feet over large sections of the country. The restriction, outlined in a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), applies to airspace across southern and northern Haiti, including a roughly 15-nautical-mile radius around parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and areas near the Dominican Republic border.

Officials said the measure was taken due to “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing instability.”

The restriction was first imposed in November 2024 after gunfire struck multiple aircraft near Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Since then, the FAA has renewed the ban every six months following reviews of security conditions on the ground.

The FAA said the notice applies to all U.S. air carriers and commercial operators, as well as individuals exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the agency.

Limited exceptions remain in place. The agency said U.S.-registered aircraft operated by foreign carriers, as well as foreign airlines using U.S.-registered planes, may still operate under certain conditions. Government, humanitarian and emergency flights can also request authorization through the FAA’s Washington Operations Center.

Emergency deviations are permitted if required for flight safety, and flights operating outside the designated risk areas are not subject to the restrictions.

Since the initial ban in November 2024, most U.S. commercial flights have been suspended at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which is located in an area heavily affected by armed groups as gangs continue to control large portions of the capital.