US warns of ‘dangerous’ situation in Haiti
State Department wants Americans to stay away
The State Department is urging Americans not to travel to Haiti amid fresh gang violence in the country, which declared a state of emergency last week.
While neither the warnings nor violence are entirely new – Haiti has been a Level 4: Do Not Travel destination in State Department travel advisories since even before the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse – a spate of recent high-profile attacks, including an attempt by armed gangs to seize control of the country’s main international airport, has sparked renewed 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 are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens is severely limited.”
The U.S. military stepped in to airlift American personnel “into and out of the Embassy” to augment security, U.S. Southern Command said Sunday in a statement to USA TODAY. Meanwhile, U.S. citizens in Haiti can fill out crisis intake forms and enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program program for updates.
Here’s what airlines and cruise lines are doing about trips to Haiti:
Are there direct flights to Haiti?
Three U.S. airlines typically operate direct flights to Haiti: American, JetBlue and Spirit. All three have temporarily suspended service and issued travel waivers for the Caribbean destination.
⬤ American Airlines customers with flights scheduled to, through or from Port-au-Prince (PAP) through March 15 may modify flights without paying change fees. Changes must be made by March 15 with the same origin and destination cities as the original booking.
⬤ JetBlue Airways is waiving change and cancellation fees for travelers with flights scheduled to and from Port-auPrince through March 22. Customers must rebook by March 27.
⬤ Spirit Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences on travel to, from or through Cap Haitien (CAP) and Port-au-Prince through April 15. Travelers should rebook by April 30. After that, the airline said change fees would still be waived, but fare differences may apply.
Do cruise ships still go to Haiti?
Royal Caribbean and its sister line Celebrity Cruises stop in Labadee, Haiti, a private destination about six hours away from Port-au-Prince by car.
According to Celebrity’s website, it doesn’t look like the line has any sailings scheduled there until fall, but Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas all have stops scheduled in Labadee over the next month. So far none have been canceled.
“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 teams are closely monitoring the situation in the area, and at all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore. Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly.”
The cruise line is aware of the travel advisory and has private security in the area. Only employees and guests are allowed on-site. Guests are not allowed to leave the resort, partly for their safety.
“We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time . ... The U.S. Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens is severely limited.” Security alert issued by U.S. Embassy in Haiti