Haiti’s main international airport in the capital Port-au-Prince has reopened nearly three months after deadly gang violence forced its closure.
A commercial plane departed the capital on Monday before arriving in Miami, Florida. More flights are scheduled to operate this week.
Haiti’s interim authorities are hopeful that more needed medical supplies and other basic supplies will begin to arrive, allowing trapped foreigners to leave the impoverished country.
However, gangs still control large parts of the capital and Haiti’s main ports remain closed.
Monday’s flight was organized by Haiti’s Sunrise Airlines, which contracted with Florida-based World Atlantic Charter Airlines.
Departure was reportedly delayed for nearly two hours after passengers complained of stuffiness on board.
Still, local residents said they were happy to be able to travel again.
“There are thousands of people who wanted to travel but couldn’t for a period of time. I had a tent and had to live there for more than three months. Many people are suffering.” Rosemond Desir told AP Television News.
Until Monday, the only operational airport was in the northern city of Cap-Haitien.
However, many Haitians are unable to go there due to continued gang violence in and around the capital.
U.S. airlines aren’t expected to resume service to Port-au-Prince until late May or early June.
image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The gang is demanding the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry and continues to carry out coordinated attacks.
He agreed to step down in March.
Nine members of the transitional council are currently sworn in to lead the country, seven of whom have voting rights. Henry’s finance minister, Michel-Patrick Boisvert, will serve as interim prime minister.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from Port-au-Prince in recent weeks.
Kenya plans to send police to lead an international task force to help Haiti’s Transitional Council restore stability.
