American Airlines reduces service to Haiti amid rise in violence, citing reduced customer demand

The country has experienced an increase in violence in recent months

American Airlines has reduced its service to Haiti amid a rise in violence in the region, explaining that it is experiencing a drop in customer demand for travel.

A spokesperson for American Airlines told FOX Business that the company will now only operate one daily flight between Port-au-Prince and Miami, starting on Nov. 15.

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FILE - In this July 21, 2021 photo, American Airlines passenger jets prepare for departure near a terminal at Boston Logan International Airport, in Boston. A government watchdog says federal regulators often fail to get to the bottom of maintenance

The company will operate three daily flights over the weekend to Haiti, one from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and two Miami International Airport.

"As a result of reduced customer demand for travel to/from Haiti, effective Monday, Nov. 15, we will reduce our flying to Haiti to one daily flight between Port-au-Prince (PAP) and Miami (MIA)," the spokesperson said. "We apologize to our impacted customers and we’re working to re-accommodate them on other flights."

American Airlines fuel

FILE - In this July 17, 2019 file photo American Airlines planes are parked on the tarmac at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) on Thursday, April 22, 2021, reported a loss of $1.25 billion in its (AP Newsroom)

Haiti has experienced an increase in violence over the past several months. In October, 17 missionaries were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti. The gang that kidnapped the group, 400 Mawozo, is known for killings, kidnappings and extortion. 

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The gang has demanded a $1 million ransom payment per person, amounting to a total of $17 million for the release of the missionaries.

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 13: A passenger checks in for an American Airlines in Terminal D at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on March 13, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. American Airlines announced that it is cutting a third of its international fl

As of October, 328 kidnappings were reported to the Haiti National Police this year, compared to 234 total kidnappings in all of 2020.

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In July, Haiti's President, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in his private home during an attack that happened early in the morning of July 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.