Overview:
Zed Airways, a Haiti-based firm, introduced the speedy suspension of flights to and from Port-au-Prince after gunfire hit two airplanes close to Toussaint Louverture Worldwide Airport on Jan. 25.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Zed Airways, a Haiti-based firm that flies passengers largely between Port-au-Prince and Brazil, suspended all flights after two of its plane have been struck by gunfire whereas attempting to land in Toussaint Louverture Worldwide Airport. No accidents have been reported.
In a statement launched after the Jan. 25 incident, Zed stated the assaults constituted a force majeure event. Citing critical security considerations for passengers and crew, it stated the suspension would stay in impact indefinitely — pending official directions and safety assessments and aligns with worldwide aviation security requirements and its authorized obligations as a business operator.
“This choice is taken as a precautionary measure,” Zed’s administration stated.
Authorities haven’t launched particulars on the extent of harm to the plane, that are operated by Aero Regional, an Ecuadorian airline.
The suspension makes Zed Airlines, headquartered in Delmas, the newest provider to halt service to Haiti’s capital as armed gangs proceed to disrupt air journey lately. The transfer additional isolates Port-au-Prince, deepens Haiti’s transportation disaster, and reinforces considerations that the nation’s fundamental airport continues to be not safe for business operations.
In a joint assertion issued Jan. 26, Haiti’s Nationwide Civil Aviation Workplace (OFNAC) and the Nationwide Airport Authority (AAN) condemned the assault and stated emergency protocols have been instantly activated.
Emergency and rescue groups have been deployed, and technical crews started assessing the scenario, the companies stated. Nationwide safety authorities have been alerted, and an investigation is underway. The perpetrators haven’t been recognized.
“OFNAC and the AAN strongly condemn this act, which endangers the lives of passengers and crew members and compromises the safety of Haitian airspace.”
Rising dangers within the capital’s airways
Zed is among the few carriers that continued working worldwide business flights from Haiti, providing service between Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien and Brazil. The airline has performed a key function in transporting Haitians admitted beneath Brazil’s household reunification program. Based on its firm site, Zed additionally operates constitution flights serving primarily Haitian, Brazilian and Dominican passengers.
The incident occurred amid ongoing clashes between armed gangs and safety forces in neighborhoods surrounding Toussaint Louverture Worldwide Airport, situated within the Cul-de-Sac Plain—an space the place a number of gang strongholds are entrenched.
In November 2025, an plane operated by Dawn Airways have been struck whereas flying from Les Cayes to Port-au-Prince, prompting the native airline to quickly droop flights to the capital.
Earlier incidents involving JetBlue and American Airways, whose planes have been hit by gunfire whereas on the tarmac in 2024, led the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to droop business flights to Haiti. The company has since prolonged it a number of instances. The primary extension was thought-about for relieving in September after an preliminary choice from March 2025.
The newest extension runs by March 7, citing worsening safety circumstances round Port-au-Prince.