ORLANDO, Fla. — Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince remains closed following gang attacks that have raged through the island nation in recent weeks, forcing many to try to escape.

What You Need To Know

  • Abson Louis traveled back home to Orlando on a flight provided by the U.S. state department
  • The Orlando resident tried flying commercial, but the Port-au-Prince airport shut down due to gang violence
  • Abson and several other U.S. citizens departed Cap-Haitien located in northern Haiti

A charter flight carrying dozens of United States citizens fleeing the gang violence in Haiti landed in Miami on Sunday.

On that flight was Orlando resident Abson Louis, who tried booking commercial flights for days, when the violence was spreading across the island.

“As things got more unstable, it’s time to go home. That’s when I started booking a flight. And my flight through Spirit was cancelled two or three times,” said Louis.

Louis was in Haiti looking at investment properties and visiting with family when the Port-au-Prince airport shut down as a result of gang violence.

He then reached out to the state department.

“So, when I was able to get in contact with the state department, they were able to book a charter flight. It was a relief,” said Louis.

He was in the northern part of the island and departed from Cap-Haitien, located near Labadee, where cruise ships often stop while visiting Haiti.

He said there was no shooting or violence where he was located. Louis is no stranger to Haiti and lived there until age 12, before moving to the United States and becoming a citizen. 

His family in Florida includes his son Rudy and daughters Joanna and Chelsea, who he knew were concerned about his safety.

“I know they were worried, and I want to be here for them, he said.”

He said he hopes to return to Haiti to continue looking at investment properties whenever the violence settles down.