Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Leslie Voltaire, the President )pro tempore of the Transitional Council whose 6-month term ends on March 7, 2025, accompanied in particular by Ministers Raphaël HOSTY (Public Works), Alfred METELLUS (Economy), James MONAZARD (Commerce and Industry), Herrick John DESSOURCES (Tourism) as well as Directors General Rameau NORMIL, of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), François Ducarmel of the National Airport Authority (AAN) and Reginald Grignard of the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC), local elected officials and many personalities, proceeded to the inauguration of the renovated Antoine Simon des Cayes international airport (South West)

With a runway extended to 1,850m, the airport goes from category 2B to 3B, which allows it to receive aircraft carrying up to 80 passengers maximum (instead of around thirty with the old 1,350m runway). The airport is ready to receive international flights for the first time.

Authorities said this would provide a safer option for commercial airlines, given that all flights to Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince have been suspended due to gang violence.

Interior improvements have also been made, including the expansion of the counter area, an immigration office, a space for the Office for the Fight against Drug Trafficking (BLTS) and the rehabilitation of the PNH premises.

Leslie Voltaire welcomed this public-private partnership, a first successful experience in airport development in the region. The populations of the Grand Sud, relieved by this progress, hope to fully benefit from the economic and tourist opportunities offered by this opening to international flights.

John Herrick Dessources, Minister of Tourism, said that these works should allow the airport to welcome international flights very soon. Dessources believes that other steps will have to follow: the extension of the runway to a total axis of 3 km, the construction of a standard terminal, the creation of a suitable parking lot, while respecting the standards of services.

SL/ HaitiLibre