A Spirit Airlines flight arriving from Florida encountered gunfire as it attempted to land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, leading to its diversion to the Dominican Republic on Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a flight attendant incurred minor injuries, while the flight landed safely at Cibao International Airport in Santiago.
As a precaution, two additional flights headed for Toussaint Louverture International Airport were rerouted due to the incident, which prompted the closure of the airport. Video footage shared on social media appeared to show damage inside the Spirit aircraft, including a bullet hole near an exit and damage to an overhead compartment. Photos from the Dominican Republic’s airport also indicated exterior bullet holes on the plane.
Spirit Airlines Flight 951, which departed from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, was almost at landing altitude, flying about 550 feet above a neighborhood, before it rapidly ascended and navigated to the Dominican Republic. Robert Sumwalt, a former NTSB chairman, praised the crew’s decision to divert the flight.
The flight carried 48 passengers, who were unharmed apart from the minor injuries sustained by a flight attendant from debris. The Association of Flight Attendants confirmed these details. In light of the escalating violence and political instability in Haiti, the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert warning of “gang-led efforts” that may endanger travel to and from the capital.
The incident raised significant safety concerns, prompting Spirit and other airlines to suspend operations to Haiti, with their flights deemed too risky under current conditions. JetBlue reported a similar incident where one of its planes was struck by gunfire, and it canceled flights to and from Haiti through December 2. American Airlines also announced a suspension of flights between Miami and Port-au-Prince until Thursday, emphasizing safety as a priority.
The situation underscores the potential dangers associated with travel in regions experiencing unrest. Airlines are now reevaluating their operations to ensure passenger safety while closely monitoring developments in Haiti.
Despite the alarming circumstances, it is noteworthy that all passengers and crew members are safe, and the aviation industry is taking the necessary precautions to adapt to evolving security challenges. This can be viewed as a silver lining, demonstrating the resilience of the aviation sector to respond promptly in crisis situations.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in air travel, particularly in areas marked by instability, and the commitment of airlines to prioritize the well-being of their passengers.