Stratos Jet Charters, Inc., an Orlando-based charter company, announced Thursday morning that the Port Au Prince Airport (MTPP) is currently closed to all inbound and outbound air traffic, due to the high volume of aircraft already on the ground in Port Au Prince.
The airport has been reported to be “overwhelmed”
The good news is that once the airport reopens, the runway at Port Au Prince has been reported to be in good condition with working runway lights and no visible damage. According to the most recent air traffic advisory, the military has established a control tower in the ocean, replacing the air traffic control tower that was damaged during the earthquake.
Once aircraft get the green light, humanitarian and rescue flights will resume in and out of the Port Au Prince during VFR daylight hours, occurring between the hours of civil twilight from 6:01 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. local time. Private jets cannot stay overnight, meaning that one-way charter flights from Miami can leave no later than 3:00 p.m. to make the three and a half hour journey and stay within Port Au Prince flight restrictions.
For charter flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale into Port Au Prince, private aircrafts are restricted to carrying only 2,000 pounds of total weight in passengers and cargo combined. With as litlle as four hours notice, Stratos Jets can make arrangements to fly a news crews carrying heavy filming equipment and humanitarian relief assistance into the Dominican Republic on a private jet, and can also provide ground transportation into the city upon arrival. Passengers who are unsure of how to calculate their total weight can call Stratos Jets agents who will be able to assist in obtaining that information and arranging the flight. Travel information is found at http://stratosjets.com/
If a charter flight’s passenger count or cargo exceeds weight restrictions, Stratos Jets’ charter agents have the ability to source an aircraft that can land at the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic (MDSD) airport, where weight limitations are less-restrictive. Flights that need to stay overnight or travel at a later hour can also utilize Santo Domingo as an alternative airport.
Currently, Stratos Jets is offering one-way charter flights from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) to Santo Domingo on a 12-passenger commuter aircraft at a starting price of $15,750., with details found at http://stratosjets.com/
Stratos Jets promises to continue to give updates on the current Port Au Prince airport situation and will give word as soon as the airport reopens. Updates may also be sought out via http://www.StratosJets.com.
