Sunrise

Sunrise Airways emphasizes a strong commitment to safety and maintenance, aiming to adhere to the highest standards.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:
• On November 23, 2025, a Sunrise Airways aircraft arriving from Les Cayes was struck by gunfire while on its final descent into Port-au-Prince. Fortunately, no passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft landed safely. This incident, however, led to the immediate suspension of all flights to and from Port-au-Prince until further notice due to security concerns.
• *Note:* A helicopter crash involving "Sunrise Airlines" occurred in 2009, resulting in two fatalities. However, given that Sunrise Airways (ICAO: KSZ) was founded in 2010, this incident is likely attributed to a different entity with a similar name.

• Regulatory Certifications:
• Sunrise Airways is not IOSA certified.
• In 2014, the airline was recognized as the only Haitian airline operating between Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince that complied with the new, more stringent safety standards adopted by the Office National de l'Aviation Civile (OFNAC) of Haiti and the Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil (IDAC) of Dominican Republic. These standards align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 6 requirements, mandating Flight Data Recorders on aircraft operating these routes.
• Sunrise Airways became the first Haitian airline to join the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) in July 2013, an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing impartial safety guidance.
• The airline holds multiple operating certificates, including for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Antigua-Barbuda (for its Eastern Caribbean operations).
• It is important to note that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ban in November 2024, prohibiting all U.S. airlines from flying into Haiti and U.S. commercial aircraft from flying below 10,000 feet over designated Haitian airspace, due to security incidents near the airport. This is a country-specific advisory, not an indictment of Sunrise Airways' internal safety protocols.

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:
• Sunrise Airways states it operates a "modern and diverse fleet" and adheres to the "highest standards of safety and maintenance" for its aircraft.
• The airline has its own dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility located at Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Specific average fleet age data for Sunrise Airways (ICAO: KSZ) was not readily available in the search results.

• Overall Safety Assessment:
• Based on available data, Sunrise Airways demonstrates an internal commitment to safety through its compliance with local and international (ICAO-aligned) regulations, its membership in the Flight Safety Foundation, and its proprietary MRO facility. However, the ongoing political instability and gang violence in Haiti, exemplified by the recent gunfire incident on one of its aircraft and the subsequent suspension of flights to Port-au-Prince, pose significant external safety risks to its operations in the region. The airline's decision to suspend flights due to security concerns underscores its prioritization of passenger and crew safety in a challenging environment.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions:
• No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the provided search results.