(Source : Washington Post)The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a 30-day ban on all U.S. flights to Haiti following an incident in which a Spirit Airlines plane was struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The FAA issued the ban on Tuesday, citing “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability” in the country.
The shooting occurred on Monday as Spirit Airlines Flight 951, traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The plane was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after one flight attendant was injured by the gunfire. Two other flights bound for Port-au-Prince were also diverted as a precaution.
A post-flight inspection of other flights revealed that both JetBlue and American Airlines planes had also been hit by bullets, though no injuries were reported. The damage to these planes, however, highlights the continuing dangers faced by aviation in Haiti’s increasingly violent environment.
The gunfire incident is part of a broader context of escalating violence and gang activity in Haiti, which has intensified since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Gangs have gained significant power, leading to widespread unrest and attacks, including a mass prison break and a breach of the country’s main seaport.
The Port-au-Prince airport is expected to remain closed until Monday, and the United Nations has suspended its flights into the city, limiting the flow of humanitarian aid to the region.
The violence, combined with political instability, including the recent dismissal of interim prime minister Garry Conille, has further complicated the situation in Haiti. The U.S. State Department has urged the country’s leadership to prioritize governance and address the escalating crisis.
The FAA’s flight restrictions and the temporary closure of the airport underscore the dangerous conditions currently gripping Haiti, making it unsafe for both civilians and international travelers.
