- Airlines halt Haiti flights after gunfire hits passenger plane
- A flight attendant suffered minor injuries, no passengers were harmed
- The Spirit Airlines suspended all flights to Haiti indefinitely
- American Airlines and JetBlue have also halted their Haiti flights
Airlines halt Haiti flights after gunfire hits passenger plane
Several airlines have suspended flights to Haiti after a passenger plane from the United States was struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince.
The Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted to Santiago Airport in the Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. A flight attendant suffered minor injuries, but no passengers were harmed. It marks the second such attack on aircraft flying over Haiti’s capital in less than a month.
The Spirit Airlines flight was scheduled to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport around midday when it was struck. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show bullet holes inside the aircraft, particularly in the crew seating area used during takeoff and landing.
Spirit Airlines confirmed the damage was “consistent with gunfire” and announced the aircraft would be taken out of service. The airline has suspended all flights to Haiti indefinitely, citing safety concerns.
American Airlines and JetBlue have also halted their Haiti flights until at least Thursday.
The security situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly in recent months. In October, armed gangs fired on a United Nations helicopter, prompting temporary flight cancellations by some carriers. A UN-supported policing initiative led by Kenyan officers began earlier this year to combat the growing gang influence, but violence remains rampant.
Spirit Airlines, a Florida-based low-cost carrier, operates flights across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America. The suspension of flights highlights the broader challenges of operating in Haiti amid the ongoing turmoil.
