The Federal Aviation Administration has suspended US flights to Haiti for at least 30 days due to recent gunfire incidents involving passenger planes. This comes amid increasing gang violence and ongoing political instability in the country, exacerbating concerns over safety for travelers.
US Halts Flights to Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence
US Halts Flights to Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence
Following a string of gun attacks on aircraft, US airlines have suspended flights to Haiti, raising concerns over safety and security in the Caribbean nation.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 30-day suspension of flights operated by US airlines to Haiti as gun violence escalates in the country. This unprecedented decision follows three separate shooting incidents that occurred in a single day, affecting flights to Port-au-Prince. A Spirit Airlines flight experienced minor injuries to a crew member but fortunately, no passengers were harmed during these violent confrontations.
In light of these security concerns, a Notice to Air Missions (Notam) has been issued, prohibiting all flights from US carriers from flying within 10,000 feet of Haitian airspace. This emergency suspension highlights the dangerous and unpredictable security climate prevalent in Haiti, largely driven by gang violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The country's escalating turmoil has resulted in over 3,600 deaths so far this year alone and has displaced more than half a million individuals, as reported by the United Nations.
Before the FAA's mandate, all three airlines involved had conducted their own suspensions. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines confirmed their decisions to halt flights after heeding the alarming reports of gunfire hitting their aircraft. The latest reports include American Flight 819, which sustained bullet damage discovered upon landing in Miami. JetBlue's Flight 634 also returned from Port-au-Prince with similar damage and Spirit Airlines Flight 951 had to divert to the Dominican Republic after coming under gunfire while attempting to land in Haiti.
In response to the violence, the US Embassy in Haiti has expressed concern about efforts by armed gangs to disrupt travel in and out of the capital. Meanwhile, newly appointed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé emphasized the commitment to restoring security in the country. The US State Department is urging Haitian leaders to prioritize governance, focusing on the urgent needs of the Haitian populace rather than on personal interests amidst the political turmoil.
Safety concerns surrounding air travel to Haiti are growing, as gang-related violence raises alarms for the significant Haitian diaspora in the United States and those planning travel to the region.
