Haiti - FLASH Exodus : OFNAC temporarily suspends charter flights from Haiti to Nicaragua
Monday, October 30, 2023, the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) temporarily suspended all charter flight operations from Haiti to Managua, Nicaragua, causing a serious situation of tension at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, at several hundred Haitian passengers whose flights were canceled without any notice. 5 planes were canceled that day.
A measure which according to Laurent Joseph Dumas, Director General of OFNAC) aims "[...] a better organization of flights. There are major concerns regarding safety, comfort, logistics, etc... There is a big mess going on right now. The aeronautics sector and disorder do not mix well," indicating that flights will resume in the coming days and Haitians will be able to continue to travel to Nicaragua after a reorganization of charter flights... It is planned to operate only four flights between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with an average of 150 passengers per flight and 7 flights between 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The National Airport Authority (AAN) is also required to develop the passenger reception area, using mobile structures and additional lighting as well as the increase in sanitary equipment and the adjustment of additional facilitation costs relating to the pressure that these passenger flows exert on the airport infrastructure.
Let's recall that the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Nicaragua, has welcomed, according to flight tracking data and available region specialists, more than 260 charter flights, coming from Haiti, despite the fact that it There is no official trade route between the two countries.
Passengers, mostly Haitian, travel on charter flights (planes rented for a specific trip). In August, 30 flights were recorded between Haiti and Nicaragua, 100 in September and 138 so far in October…
Unusually, 31,475 people from Haiti have entered Nicaragua by air since August, which is considered a "bridge" for migrants who wish to continue their route to the United States. Note that Nicaragua allows Haitians to return to its country. The price of the trip generally varies between 2500 and 3000 US$, sometimes more...
