Chancerelles Airport / Bowen Field

Port-au-Prince, HT 🇭🇹 Closed Airport

ICAO

HT-0001

IATA

Elevation

74 ft

Region

HT-OU

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 18.560801° N, -72.327797° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Traveler experiences at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, often highlight a mix of unique cultural encounters and significant operational challenges. Overall sentiment is mixed, with some travelers appreciating improvements over the years, while many others express dissatisfaction due to cleanliness issues, aggressive soliciting, and chaotic conditions. The airport is frequently described as a necessary but often difficult part of the Haitian travel experience.

What Travelers Love

Warm Welcome: Many travelers appreciate the lively atmosphere and traditional music bands that often welcome arrivals, offering a unique cultural experience upon entry.
Helpful Staff (in some cases): Some reviewers have found the airport staff to be helpful and multilingual, providing a range of services.
Free WiFi: Digicell provides free WiFi throughout the airport, which is functional for basic browsing.
Quick Customs (sometimes): The customs process can be relatively quick for some travelers.
Secure Long-Term Parking: Safe and secure long-term parking is available for those who choose to drive.

Common Complaints

Cleanliness and Facilities: A frequent complaint concerns the cleanliness of the terminals and restrooms, with reports of uncleaned toilets, general dustiness, and even sightings of live mice in food preparation areas. Primary areas are often not air-conditioned.
Aggressive Touts and Bribery: Travelers commonly encounter aggressive individuals offering assistance with bags or directions and then demanding payment. There are also reports of staff being "more willing to get a bribe to help you do something quicker", and travelers are warned about theft, price gouging, and bribery.
Multiple Security Checks and Wait Times: Passengers, particularly those flying to the U.S., face multiple security checkpoints, including a secondary screening at the gate by airline-specific security. These processes can be time-consuming, with the first line potentially taking up to an hour.
Luggage Theft: There are specific complaints about luggage being opened and items stolen from checked bags.
Chaotic and Deteriorating Environment: The international terminal is often described as chaotic and noisy, with some reviews noting that the "building is about to fall apart".

While Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) has seen some modernization efforts, travelers should arrive prepared for a potentially chaotic environment, expect aggressive soliciting, and allow ample time for security procedures. It is advisable to be vigilant with belongings and firm yet polite when dealing with individuals offering unsolicited services.

Generated 5 days ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

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For Pilots

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Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Closure Date

Approximately 1965

Reason for Closure

The airport was closed following the construction and opening of the much larger and more modern François Duvalier International Airport (now known as Toussaint Louverture International Airport, MTPP/PAP). The new airport was built further from the city center to accommodate the larger jet aircraft of the era, such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8, which Bowen Field's shorter runways and urban proximity could not handle.

Current Status

The former airport site has been completely absorbed by the urban expansion of Port-au-Prince. The area at the specified coordinates is now a densely populated mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones, located within the Chancerelles neighborhood and adjacent to Cité Soleil. There are no visible remnants of the runways, taxiways, or airport buildings. The land has been entirely redeveloped over the past 50+ years.

Historical Significance

Chancerelles Airport, historically known as Bowen Field, was the primary airport for Port-au-Prince and Haiti for several decades. Its history has two distinct phases:

1. **Military Airfield (c. 1919-1934):** The airfield was established by the United States Marine Corps during the U.S. occupation of Haiti. It was named Bowen Field in honor of 1st Lieutenant Robert S. Bowen, a Marine aviator killed in a plane crash in Haiti in 1920. It served as the main base for Marine aviation units, which conducted reconnaissance, mail delivery, medical transport, and air support missions throughout the country.

2. **Commercial Airport (1934-1965):** After the U.S. military departed in 1934, Bowen Field was converted into Haiti's main civilian and commercial airport. It became the international gateway to the country, handling flights from major carriers like Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). Pan Am operated routes connecting Port-au-Prince with Miami, Kingston, Santo Domingo, and other key destinations in the Americas, using aircraft like the Douglas DC-3, DC-4, and Lockheed Constellation. It was the center of Haitian aviation until it was superseded.

Reopening Prospects

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Chancerelles Airport / Bowen Field. The site is fully and densely developed, making any attempt to reconstruct an airport logistically impossible and economically unfeasible. Haiti's international aviation needs are served by Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.