Haiti
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
On Nov 11, two aircraft were hit by gunfire on approach to MTPP/Port-au-Prince. The first, a Spirit A320 enroute from KFLL, was hit on short final to Runway 28 at around 1100 local. Damage was significant, with multiple rounds entering the fuselage, avionics bay, engine, and cabin. The second aircraft, a Jet Blue A320, discovered a bullet hole on return to KJFK. Operations at MTPP have been suspended entirely until Nov 18, but with this level of risk to aircraft, Haiti will be off-limits for some time to come. On Nov 12, the FAA banned US operators from flights in the airspace of Haiti below 10,000ft MSL. SafeAirspace.net now puts Haiti at Level 1 - Do Not Fly.
MTPP/Port-au-Prince was previously closed from March-May 2024 due to sustained gang violence across Haiti. Aviation came under direct threat during the worst of the violence, with several reports of several armed attacks at the airport. A new government has since been formed, but gangs still control much of the capital, and the US still advises against all travel to the country. Canada and the US since issued airspace warnings for Haiti - cautioning about unpublished airport and airspace restrictions, and the risks associated with gang activity - namely, civil unrest and security threats at airports. For flights, crew security cannot be guaranteed.
Read: Haiti Crisis: Airport Attacked, Aircraft Shot, March 2024 (OPSGROUP article)
MTPP/Port-au-Prince was previously closed from March-May 2024 due to sustained gang violence across Haiti. Aviation came under direct threat during the worst of the violence, with several reports of several armed attacks at the airport. A new government has since been formed, but gangs still control much of the capital, and the US still advises against all travel to the country. Canada and the US since issued airspace warnings for Haiti - cautioning about unpublished airport and airspace restrictions, and the risks associated with gang activity - namely, civil unrest and security threats at airports. For flights, crew security cannot be guaranteed.
Read: Haiti Crisis: Airport Attacked, Aircraft Shot, March 2024 (OPSGROUP article)
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Notam EGTT V0045/24 | 15 Nov 2024 | 14 Feb 2025 | |
| Canada | Notam CZQX H5491/24 | 15 Nov 2024 | 15 Dec 2024 | |
| France | Notam LFFF F1638/24 | 13 Nov 2024 | 14 Dec 2024 | |
| USA | Notam KICZ A0015/24 | 12 Nov 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 | |
| Canada | Notam CZQX H5210/24 | 25 Oct 2024 | 24 Jan 2025 | |
| USA | Notam KICZ A0010/24 | 11 Sep 2024 | 11 Mar 2025 |
Source: UK
Reference: Notam EGTT V0045/24
Issued: 15-Nov-24, valid until: 14 Feb 2025
Plain English: UK operators should not enter the airspace of Haiti below 10,000ft AGL due to the risk of small arms fire.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN HAITI. UK REGISTERED AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR PORT-AU-PRINCE (MTEG) BELOW 10,000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL DUE TO POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION FROM SMALL ARMS FIRE. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT 02070 826639 OR 02079 443111 OUT OF HOURS. AR-2024-7873/AU4. SFC - UNL, 15 NOV 12:15 2024 UNTIL 13 FEB 23:59 2025. CREATED: 15 NOV 12:28 2024
Source: Canada
Reference: Notam CZQX H5491/24
Issued: 15-Nov-24, valid until: 15 Dec 2024
Plain English: Canadian operators are now banned from operating below FL100 in Haitian airspace and the MTEG/Port-au-Prince FIR due to risks to aviation from gang activity.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.1 OF THE AERONAUTICS ACT, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT IS OF THE OPINION IT IS NECESSARY FOR AVIATION SAFETY AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC TO PROHIBIT CANADIAN AIR OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN CANADA FROM OPERATING BELOW FL100 WITHIN HAITIAN AIRSPACE AND FIR PORT-AU-PRINCE (MTEG) DUE TO POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION FROM GANG ACTIVITY. THE MINISTER MAY GRANT EXCEPTIONAL WAIVERS FOR HUMANITARIAN OR MEDEVAC OPERATIONS. AIR OPERATORS WISHING TO OBTAIN SUCH AN AUTHORIZATION MUST APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AT 1-877-992-6853 OR 1-613-992-6853 OR BY EMAIL AT OPERATIONS.AVIATION(A)TC.GC.CA.
Source: France
Reference: Notam LFFF F1638/24
Issued: 13-Nov-24, valid until: 14 Dec 2024
Plain English: French operators should remain at or above FL100 in Haiti airspace, and not go to MTPP/Port Au Prince airport
DUE TO SECURITY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN HAITI, FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN FRANCE ARE REQUESTED TO MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES A FLIGHT LEVEL ABOVE OR EQUAL TO FL100 IN THE AIRSPACE OF HAITI (FIR MTEG (PORT AU PRINCE)) AND NOT TO SERVE PORT AU PRINCE AERODROME (MTPP). 13 NOV 15:50 2024 UNTIL 13 DEC 23:59 2024. CREATED: 13 NOV 15:51 2024
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0015/24
Issued: 12-Nov-24, valid until: 13 Dec 2024
Plain English: US operators are prohibited from operating below 10,000ft MSL in the airspace of Haiti.
SECURITY..UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROHIBITION AGAINST CERTAIN FLIGHTS IN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF HAITI. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) BELOW ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING AT ALTITUDES FROM SURFACE UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 10,000 FEET MSL IN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF HAITI DUE TO SAFETY-OF-FLIGHT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ONGOING SECURITY INSTABILITY.
A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
B. PERMITTED OPERATIONS. THIS NOTAM DOES NOT PROHIBIT PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) ABOVE FROM CONDUCTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA WHEN SUCH OPERATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED EITHER BY ANOTHER AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FAA OR BY A DEVIATION, EXEMPTION, OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE FAA ADMINISTRATOR. OPERATORS MUST CALL THE FAA WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT 202-267-3333 TO INITIATE COORDINATION FOR FAA AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS.
C. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DECISION AND ACTION FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF AN AIRCRAFT MAY DEVIATE FROM THIS NOTAM TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THAT EMERGENCY. THIS NOTAM IS AN EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED UNDER 49 USC 40113(A), 44701(A)(5), AND 46105(C). IF AVAILABLE, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/. SFC - 9999 MSL, 12 NOV 18:30 2024 UNTIL 12 DEC 23:59 2024. CREATED: 12 NOV 18:34 2024
A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
B. PERMITTED OPERATIONS. THIS NOTAM DOES NOT PROHIBIT PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) ABOVE FROM CONDUCTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA WHEN SUCH OPERATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED EITHER BY ANOTHER AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FAA OR BY A DEVIATION, EXEMPTION, OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE FAA ADMINISTRATOR. OPERATORS MUST CALL THE FAA WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT 202-267-3333 TO INITIATE COORDINATION FOR FAA AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS.
C. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DECISION AND ACTION FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF AN AIRCRAFT MAY DEVIATE FROM THIS NOTAM TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THAT EMERGENCY. THIS NOTAM IS AN EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED UNDER 49 USC 40113(A), 44701(A)(5), AND 46105(C). IF AVAILABLE, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/. SFC - 9999 MSL, 12 NOV 18:30 2024 UNTIL 12 DEC 23:59 2024. CREATED: 12 NOV 18:34 2024
Source: Canada
Reference: Notam CZQX H5210/24
Issued: 25-Oct-24, valid until: 24 Jan 2025
Plain English: Canadian operators should carry out a risk assessment before entering the MTEG/Port-au-Prince FIR due to risks to aviation from gang activity - namely, civil unrest and security threats at airports.
AIRSPACE SECURITY WARNING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT IN RESPONSE TO THE SECURITY SITUATION IN HAITI. CANADIAN AIR OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF ACFT REGISTERED IN CANADA ARE ADVISED TO TAKE ALL POTENTIAL RISK INFO INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROUTING DECISIONS WHEN OPERATING IN HAITIAN AIRSPACE AND FIR PORT-AU-PRINCE (MTEG) DUE TO POTENTIAL RISK TO
AVIATION FM GANG ACTIVITY.
AVIATION FM GANG ACTIVITY.
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0010/24
Issued: 11-Sep-24, valid until: 11 Mar 2025
Plain English: Caution due to unpublished airport and airspace restrictions. Operators should talk to ATC directly for the current status of airports, given ongoing civil unrest and security risks.
SECURITY..SPECIAL SECURITY NOTICE..POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION HAITI UNPUBLISHED AIRPORT AND AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS MAY EXIST. U.S. OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND COMMUNICATE WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AUTHORITIES ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MTPP/PAP) PORT AU PRINCE AND OTHER AIRPORTS IN HAITI DUE TO CIVIL UNREST AND LOCALIZED SECURITY RISKS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT FAA CITE WATCH AT 202-267-3203 OR EMAIL FAA-WATCH@FAA.GOV. SFC - UNL, 11 SEP 12:38 2024 UNTIL 10 MAR 23:59 2025. CREATED: 11 SEP 12:44 2024