DR and Haiti agree to resume commercial flights between both countries starting in May

Santo Domingo. – The authorities of the Dominican Republic and Haiti agreed to re-establish the airspace between both nations, suspended since March 2024, which will allow the resumption of direct air connections starting in May. The decision came after a meeting held in the border area between Foreign Ministers Roberto Álvarez and Raina Forbin, who highlighted that the measure seeks to boost mobility between both territories, as well as reactivate economic exchange and strengthen bilateral ties. During the meeting, both delegations addressed key issues on the common agenda, including border security, migration, and trade, in a dialogue they described as open and constructive. The airspace was closed by the Dominican Republic in March 2024, amid the security crisis affecting Haiti, marked by the increase in violence by armed gangs following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Since then, only flights for humanitarian purposes have been authorized.

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The reopening occurs after tensions between both countries over various issues, including the construction of an irrigation canal in the Massacre River, a shared water source, which generated disagreements over its possible environmental and agricultural impacts. In the joint statement, both nations also expressed their gratitude to the international community, especially to the United Nations, for the support provided to Haiti in the efforts to restore stability in its territory.