PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has extended its ban on flights to the Haitian capital until March 7, 2026, citing risks from armed groups to civil aviation.

Last November, the FAA temporarily halted all flights to Haiti but later allowed United States (US) flights to resume to six other airports in the north of the country after three US commercial jetliners were struck by gunfire. The restrictions had been set to expire next week.

However, US planes can transit over Port-au-Prince above 10,000 feet.

According to the FAA, armed groups continue to control nearly 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince and the immediate surrounding strategic routes and border areas.

Since March, there has been at least one instance of likely Haitian groups directing small arms fire at low-flying aircraft.

Since last year, groups have used small arms fire on civilian aircraft, helicopters and airports that damaged multiple aircraft and injured an air crew member.