At Toussaint Louverture International Airport, charter flights to Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, Nicaragua, remain “temporarily” suspended since October 30, 2023, declared Laurent Joseph Dumas, Director General of the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC). https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40858-haiti-flash-exodus-ofnac-temporarily-suspends-charter-flights-from-haiti-to-nicaragua.html . A very worrying situation for Haitians who have already spent a lot of money to buy their ticket "at a high price"...

Should be noted that 31,475 people from Haiti have entered Nicaragua by air since August 2023, a country considered as a "bridge" for migrants who wish to continue their route to the United States. Let us note that Nicaragua allows Haitians to enter its territory without a visa.

Following this decision by the Government, travel agencies find themselves in a difficult situation. As to whether stranded customers will lose their money, the agencies want to be reassuring and affirm that no, and that other solutions are being considered if flights do not resume (without further details)...

For its part, the Biden administration says it is concerned by the increase in charter flights to Nicaragua which facilitate illegal immigration with the USA as the final destination, and is threatening to sanction the organizers of these flights.

Airlines and those involved in these flights should exercise caution, if these flights continue it is likely that the Americans will shut down airlines and arrest those involved

"No one should profit from the desperation of vulnerable migrants – not smugglers, not private companies, not civil servants, not governments. We are investigating the full range of possible consequences for those who facilitate this form of irregular migration,” Brian A. Nichols, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, posted on “X” (ex Twitter).

Let's recall that Eric W. Stromayer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince, where he assumes the role of Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. in a published video had warned Haitians that they they are "considering traveling to Nicaragua and then traveling overland to enter the United States illegally" they should think twice. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40889-haiti-flash-conditional-stay-nicaragua-important-message-from-the-american-embassy.html

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40889-haiti-flash-conditional-stay-nicaragua-important-message-from-the-american-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-40872-haiti-flash-usa-programme-de-sejour-conditionnel-pres-de-2-millions-d-applications-en-attente-d-approbation.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-40858-haiti-flash-exode-l-ofnac-suspend-temporairement-les-vols-charters-d-haiti-vers-le-nicaragua.html

TB/ HaitiLibre