Haiti airport remains a bottleneck

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US military personnel unload humanitarian aid as a cargo airplane approaches the runway at the Toussant Louverture international airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, January 15, 2010. Photo by AP.

American Red Cross officials in Washington say there is a waiting list of 1000 flights to land at Haiti's airport, hindering the delivery of relief supplies.

David Meltzer, the charity's senior vice president for international services, said Monday that an 18-hour drive from the Dominican Republic is now the most predictable route. But that drive used to only take six hours.

The main port of Port-au-Prince was heavily damaged in the January 12 earthquake.

The Red Cross continues to focus on meeting basic needs of food and water. The group expects to shift its focus to providing more sturdy shelter for thousands in the days ahead.

The relief effort is similar to the Asian tsunami for which the American Red Cross has devoted more than $US470 million ($NZ660.17 million) over a five-year effort.