SANTO DOMINGO.-Air Century announced that it will resume flights from the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, after the government lifted the restriction on flights to that neighboring country.
Air Century's flight operations have been suspended since September 15th after President Luis Abinader ordered the closure of the border, and the airspace and sea from the country to Haiti.
The situation arose after the conflict between the two governments over the illegal construction of an irrigation canal on the Massacre River by Haitian authorities in violation of established agreements.
The Dominican airline operated two regular flights to the Toussaint Louverture International Port of Príncipe, Haiti, departing from the Dr. Joaquín Balaguer terminal in Higüero, Santo Domingo.
Through resolution 234-2023 issued by the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), headed by its president, José Marte Piantini, the government lifted this week the flight restrictions that had been established as a result of the conflict, even affecting binational trade in border markets.
Air Century flights depart daily from Santo Domingo, with a significant occupancy factor of citizens of the neighboring country, residents in the Dominican Republic and nationals who go to Haiti to carry out various commercial and professional activities.
“Starting this Wednesday, November 1st, we are resuming our commercial flights from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following the resolution issued by the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), which lifts the ban on flying to that destination,” the airline said in a statement.
Lifting of the suspension
President Luis Abinader, referring to the issue, stated that the suspension of passenger and cargo air operations to and from the Dominican Republic, due to the border closure, only applies to diplomatic personnel and those who had prepaid airline tickets.
"This measure was the same as what we had allowed, which is more control over those who can come by air," the president explained during his weekly meeting with members of the press.
He added that many Haitians with visas had booked flights to travel to other parts of the country.
The Civil Aviation Board of the Dominican Republic (JAC) issued resolution 234-2023 last Monday, ordering the resumption of operations as of that date, thereby nullifying resolution 191-2023 that contained the restriction.
The head of the JAC, José Ernesto Marte Piantini, signed the document stating that the only item on the agenda of the extraordinary session was the "review of the measure provided by Resolution 191-2023 dated September 14, 2023, issued by the Civil Aviation Board, relating to air operations of passengers and cargo to and from the Republic of Haiti.".
