Several airlines have halted flights to Haiti after a U.S. passenger plane was struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. Spirit Airlines Flight 951, traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted to the Dominican Republic after the incident, landing safely at Santiago Airport.
While a flight attendant sustained minor injuries, fortunately, no passengers were harmed. This attack marks the second such incident in just three weeks involving aircraft flying over Haiti’s capital.
The shooting comes amid ongoing turmoil in Haiti, where the country is grappling with increasing violence from armed gangs. The attack also coincides with the appointment of a new prime minister in the crisis-stricken nation.
Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, Haiti’s newly appointed prime minister, has made restoring security his top priority, according to the AFP news agency. Despite the country’s challenging situation, he vowed to dedicate all his energy, skills, and patriotism to serve the national cause.
Fils-Aimé, a businessman who unsuccessfully ran for a Senate seat in 2015, studied at Boston University. He was chosen by Haiti’s ruling council to replace Garry Conille, who was ousted from office less than six months into his term.
The incident involving Spirit Airlines occurred when Flight 951, scheduled to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport just before noon, was hit by gunfire. Unverified footage shared on social media showed several bullet holes inside the aircraft, particularly in the area where the crew sits during takeoff and landing.
Spirit Airlines confirmed that the plane was inspected at Santiago Airport in the Dominican Republic, where damage consistent with gunfire was found. The airline said the aircraft would be taken out of service and that all flights to Haiti were suspended for further evaluation.
In response to the security situation, both American Airlines and JetBlue have also suspended flights to Haiti through at least Thursday.
Haiti’s security situation has been rapidly worsening in recent months, with gangs becoming more brazen. In October, gang members fired at a UN helicopter, leading several airlines to temporarily halt flights. A UN-backed mission, led by Kenyan officers, began in June in an effort to combat the gangs and restore order.
Spirit Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Florida, serves destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.