American Airlines returns to Port-au-Prince. One of its planes with passengers on board landed Thursday, May 30 at Toussaint Louverture international airport after three months of closure imposed by the security situation. The return of a national company such as American Airlines revives hope for Haitians of an end to international isolation, despite continuing gang violence.
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With our correspondent in Port-au-Prince, Marie André Belange
Offices and schools kept their doors closed on Thursday, May 25, to mark God’s Day. It’s 7:45 a.m. The capital ofHaiti wakes up. On the road to Toussaint Louverture international airport, traders begin to set up their goods, others wander the streets.
At the entrance to the airport, men and women remove trash from the ground while police officers and Haitian army soldiers stand guard. No crowds on arrival and departure. Airport employees return to their offices. Others, red roses in hand, welcome passengers on this first American Airlines flight. A lady dressed in the color of the Haitian flag dances. The musicians cover the famous hit “Lakay” by the Haitian group Taboo Combo (a hymn to Haiti which tells of joy after a long absence in a foreign land).
Toussaint Louverture airport closed at the end of February. Shots had hit the fuselage of several aircraft and the walls of the terminal. Only one company, Sunrise, had, 10 days ago, agreed to start landing its planes again. The return of American Airlines gives hope to the residents of Port-au-Prince.
The arrival of planes on the airport tarmac reassures
Odelin Emilien, works at the airport. The arrival of the passengers rejoices her: “ the country missed its people who could not return Haiti. We feel that the passengers who have arrived feel good despite the insecure situation in which we live. They are happy “.
This resumption of flights comes as the country still awaits the deployment of a multinational force to help combat armed gangs rampaging across the country. But the director general of the National Airport Authority reassures those who wish to return Haiti. “ Arrangements have been made with the Haitian National Police and the army to secure the interior and exterior of the airport and prevent attacks on aircraft “.
Among these measures, the destruction of hundreds of houses which until then adjoined the airstrips. There is still work, the operation continues, assures Yves Ducarmel François.