The suspension of flights to Haiti is now in effect following a disturbing incident where a Spirit Airlines flight was struck by gunfire while descending into Port-au-Prince, highlighting growing insecurity in the Caribbean nation.
Flights to Haiti Suspended Amid Rising Gun Violence Threats
Flights to Haiti Suspended Amid Rising Gun Violence Threats
Haiti experiences a significant decrease in international air travel after a passenger plane is targeted by gunfire, raising safety concerns.
Several airlines have opted to suspend their flights to Haiti following an alarming incident where a Spirit Airlines aircraft was shot at while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The flight, Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted safely to Santiago Airport in the Dominican Republic. Fortunately, although a flight attendant sustained minor injuries, there were no reported injuries among passengers, according to a statement from Spirit Airlines.
This incident marks the second report of a plane being shot at in the Haitian capital within three weeks, further intensifying fears over the deteriorating security situation in the country, which has been besieged by political turmoil and the dominance of armed gangs over large territories. On the same day as the gunfire incident, Haiti saw the installation of a new prime minister by the ruling council after the previous prime minister, Garry Conille, was ousted after a brief tenure of less than six months.
The flight was on its final approach to Toussaint Louverture International Airport when it was struck. Unverified social media footage revealed apparent bullet holes inside the cockpit area, leading Spirit Airlines to confirm that the aircraft had experienced damage "consistent with gunfire." The airline subsequently grounded the aircraft and announced a suspension of all flights to Haiti while conduct an assessment of the situation.
In solidarity, American Airlines and JetBlue also announced temporary suspensions of their flights to Haiti, effective until at least Thursday. This development comes amid a backdrop of worsening violence; in October, gunmen fired upon a United Nations helicopter, further exemplifying the escalating dangers in the region.
In response to the turmoil, a UN-backed policing initiative led by Kenyan officers commenced in June, aimed at restoring safety and order in areas troubled by gangs. Spirit Airlines, a low-cost carrier, caters to a wide range of destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America, and its decision to suspend flights underscores the urgency of addressing the perilous conditions affecting travelers to Haiti.
