A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, encountered gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Monday. As a result, the flight was diverted to Cibao International Airport in the Dominican Republic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a flight attendant sustained minor injuries due to debris during the incident, although no passengers were harmed.
Following the incident, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince was closed, prompting two additional flights en route to the airport to divert for safety reasons. Videos shared on social media showed visible damage on the Spirit plane, including what appeared to be bullet holes. The aircraft had been approximately 550 feet above a neighborhood when it ascended rapidly and altered its course for Santiago.
Robert Sumwalt, a former National Transportation Safety Board chairman, praised the decision to divert the flight, indicating it was a wise course of action given the circumstances. With 48 passengers aboard, the flight landed safely in the Dominican Republic, where officials confirmed that gunfire-related damage was present on the aircraft.
In light of the unfolding security situation in Haiti, highlighted by the U.S. Embassy’s warnings about “gang-led efforts” potentially impacting travel safety, Spirit Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien until further evaluation could be conducted. Similarly, JetBlue acknowledged that one of its planes had also sustained gunfire damage yet managed to land safely in New York.
American Airlines took precautionary measures as well, announcing a suspension of its flights between Miami and Port-au-Prince through Thursday, with ongoing monitoring of the situation for safety assurances.
While this incident raises concerns regarding air travel security, it also reflects the airlines’ prioritization of passenger safety and the swift response of authorities. Airlines are responding to this unpredictable security environment with cautious measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. As the situation develops, there is hope that improved safety protocols and effective communication will enhance travel conditions in Haiti and restore confidence in air travel to the region.