The State Department is urging Americans not to travel to Haiti amid renewed gang violence in the country, which declared a state of emergency last week.
While the warnings and acts of violence are nothing new, Haiti has been a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination under the State Department's travel advisory since before the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The attempt by armed groups to seize the country's main international airport has given new urgency.
“The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the U.S. Embassy in Haiti said in a security alert issued Sunday. “We recognize that there are little to no commercial options to safely exit Haiti at this time. We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to take advantage of these as they become available. The U.S. Embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens is extremely limited.”
U.S. Southern Command said in a statement to USA TODAY on Sunday that the U.S. military intervened to airlift American personnel “in and out of the embassy” to increase security. Meanwhile, Americans living in Haiti can fill out a crisis response form and enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Registration Program for up-to-date information.
Here's what airlines and cruise lines have to say about traveling to Haiti.
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Haitian violence:Military airlifts American personnel from embassy as violence erupts in Haiti
Are there direct flights to Haiti?
Three U.S. airlines typically fly non-stop to Haiti: American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines. However, all three companies have temporarily suspended their services and issued travel exemptions to Caribbean destinations.
◾ American Airlines customers scheduled to fly to or from Port-au-Prince (PAP) by March 15 can change their flight without paying a change fee. Changes must be made by March 15 in the same departure and destination cities as the original reservation.
◾ JetBlue Airways is waiving change and cancellation fees for travelers scheduled to fly to or from Port-au-Prince through March 22. The customer has until March 27th to rebook.
◾ Spirit Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences for travel to, from, or through Cap-Haitien (CAP) and Port-au-Prince through April 15. Travelers must rebook by April 30th. Change fees will still apply after that, the airline said. Exempted, but fare differences may apply.
Do cruise ships still go to Haiti?
Royal Caribbean and its sister ship Celebrity Cruises stop in Labadee, Haiti, a private destination approximately six hours' drive from Port-au-Prince.
According to Celebrity's website, there are no scheduled flights on this route until the fall, but Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Independence of the Seas , Mariner of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Symphony are scheduled. All of the Seas are scheduled to stop at Labadee within the next month. Nothing has been canceled so far.
“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Our global security team is closely monitoring the situation in the region and reminds guests to remain aware of their surroundings at all times while ashore. Guests will be notified directly if changes are required. .”
The cruise line is aware of the travel advisory and has private security in the area. Only employees and guests may enter the premises. For safety reasons, guests are not allowed to leave the resort.
Eve Chen is a travel writer Reported by USA TODAY based in Atlanta. Please contact us at echen@usatoday.com.
