US Airlines Suspend Flights to Haiti Amid Escalating Violence

The FAA has announced a 30-day suspension of US flight operations to Haiti after multiple gun attacks on aircraft. This measure, taken in response to escalating violence, especially gang warfare, reflects the urgent need for improved security in a country facing significant instability.

In a significant response to escalating violence in Haiti, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily halted flights operated by US carriers to the Caribbean nation for a minimum of 30 days. The decision follows three gun attacks on commercial flights in a single day, raising serious safety concerns amidst ongoing turmoil in Haiti.

On Monday, passenger aircraft from JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines were reportedly struck by gunfire soon after departing Port-au-Prince. Notably, a flight attendant on the Spirit Airlines flight sustained minor injuries, but fortunately, no passengers were reported hurt. Highlighting the precarious situation, the FAA issued a Notice to Air Missions (Notam) prohibiting US flights from operating within 10,000 feet of Haitian airspace due to "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability."

Amidst this turmoil, the FBI has announced its involvement in the ongoing investigation into the Spirit Airlines shooting incident. While they confirmed awareness and collaboration with local law enforcement, further details could not be disclosed as investigations are ongoing.

Haiti has been grappling with an eruption of violent gang warfare since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. According to UN reports, over 3,600 individuals have been killed in Haiti this year alone, with an alarming 500,000 people displaced from their homes as a result of the violence. Given Haiti's close ties to the United States and the large Haitian diaspora residing there, these developments have sparked widespread concern.

Following the attacks, all three US airlines took the initiative to suspend their flights independently. American Airlines reported that one of its planes had been struck by a bullet in Haiti, discovered only after a post-flight check in Miami. Similarly, a JetBlue flight returning from Port-au-Prince showed signs of bullet damage once it reached New York. Moreover, a Spirit Airlines flight, which was attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic due to gunfire.

In light of these events, the US Embassy in Haiti acknowledged the gang-led efforts to restrict travel to and from Port-au-Prince, warning that the security situation remains "unpredictable and dangerous." These incidents coincidentally occurred just as the new Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé assumed office, with an official statement noting his priority of "restoring security."

The US State Department has urged Haitian leaders to prioritize the acute needs of the population over personal or political interests, emphasizing the urgent requirement for effective governance amidst the country's crisis.