Port-au-Prince, Haiti – November 23, 2025 – Sunrise Airways, Haiti’s leading domestic airline, announced the immediate suspension of all flights to and from the capital on Sunday following a shocking incident in which one of its aircraft was hit by gunfire while preparing for takeoff.
The attack took place in the late afternoon at Guy Malary Airport – the domestic terminal located next to Toussaint Louverture International Airport – as a Sunrise Airways flight bound for Les Cayes was taxiing on the tarmac. Eyewitness videos and photographs that quickly spread across social media show clear bullet holes in the fuselage and wings of the aircraft.
Miraculously, no passengers or crew members were injured in the shooting, which occurred amid renewed clashes between armed gangs and Haitian security forces in surrounding neighborhoods.
In an official statement released early Monday morning, Sunrise Airways confirmed the suspension and linked it directly to the attack:
“The decision to suspend operations is strictly linked to the current security conditions, now further deteriorated by this violent act. The safety of our passengers and employees remains our absolute priority. Flights will resume only after a thorough evaluation confirms that the environment allows for safe and reliable operations.”
The airline added that it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates through its website and official social media channels “as soon as the security landscape permits stable and reliable service.”
For thousands of Haitians, Sunrise Airways has been one of the few safe and dependable ways to travel within the country. With most major highways controlled or regularly targeted by armed gangs, road travel between Port-au-Prince and provinces in the south, west, and Artibonite has become extremely dangerous, with frequent kidnappings and deadly ambushes.
The suspension effectively severs a vital artery for families trying to visit relatives, businesses transporting goods, and patients seeking medical care outside the capital. Many passengers booked on upcoming flights – especially to southern cities such as Les Cayes, Jérémie, and Jacmel – now face indefinite delays.
Sunrise Airways has assured affected travelers that its commercial team will contact them within the next 48 hours to discuss rebooking, refunds, or alternative arrangements once operations resume.
Sunday’s incident is the latest in a series of security breaches that have plagued Haitian airports in recent years. Gang violence has repeatedly spilled over into areas around both international and domestic terminals, prompting temporary closures and heightened security measures.
The shooting of a commercial aircraft on the ground marks a dangerous escalation and raises fresh concerns about the viability of air travel in Haiti without significant improvements in perimeter security and coordination between airport authorities and national police.
As Haiti continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, the suspension by its flagship domestic carrier serves as a stark reminder of how deeply the ongoing crisis affects even the most essential services.
Sunrise Airways has stated it remains “fully committed” to serving the Haitian people and will restart flights the moment conditions allow. For now, travelers are advised to monitor the airline’s official channels for the latest developments.
