The Dominican Republic and Haiti are working to reopen the airspace between both countries starting in May 2026. The opening specifically connects Dominican airports with the Cap Haitien International Airport to facilitate mobility and economic ties.
The Dominican Republic had closed its airspace with Haiti in March 2024. Only humanitarian flights were allowed. The Dominican Republic cited the high levels of insecurity in the neighboring nation.
The decision is part of a Joint Statement issued by Foreign Ministers of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Roberto Alvarez and Raina Forbin. The ministers led the high-level delegations of their respective government committees that met for the talks at the installations of Codevi Industrial Park on the border to advance the bilateral agenda on 17 April 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations press release explains that the meeting brought to the table the nine-point joint declaration signed in January 2021 and signals a commitment to dialogue between the administration of Dominican President Luis Abinader and the Haitian government led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
Key outcomes and discussion points from the meeting included talks on border Security and migration. The delegations held “frank and constructive” talks regarding border surveillance cooperation, migration issues, and bilateral trade.
Furthermore, both parties expressed gratitude to the United Nations and the Gang Repression Force (GRF) for their roles in efforts to restore security and institutional stability in Haiti.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to maintain open communication channels and schedule follow-up technical and high-level meetings to ensure the continuity of these bilateral agreements.
The Dominican Republic delegation was headed by the Minister of Foreign Relations, Roberto Álvarez, and composed of the Vice Minister of Multilateral Foreign Policy, Rubén Silié; the Vice Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy, Francisco Caraballo; the Dominican Republic Ambassador to Haiti, Faruk Miguel; the Director of Strategic Studies and Analysis, Emil Chireno; the Legal Director, Boni Guerrero; and advisor Jatzel Román.
For its part, the Haitian delegation was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Raina Forbin, and composed of the Chief of Staff, Winnie Hugot Gabriel; the Haitian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Emmanuel Fritz Longchamp; the Director of Political Affairs, Jean-Claude Lappé; and the director of Dominican Affairs, Yves Rody Jean.
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Ministry of Foreign Relations
20 April 2026