Airlines suspend Haiti flights after plane hit by gunfire

Attack ocurrs on Spirit Airlines Flight 951 traveling from Florida to Haiti’s International Airport

Several major US airlines, including Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue, have suspended flights to Haiti after a passenger plane was struck by gunfire while approaching the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The attack occurred on Spirit Airlines Flight 951, which was traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

The plane was diverted to Santiago, Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. A flight attendant suffered minor injuries, but fortunately, no passengers were harmed in the incident.

The attack marks the second time in under a month that an aircraft has been targeted while flying over Haiti’s capital. Spirit Airlines confirmed that after the plane was inspected in Santiago, damage consistent with gunfire was discovered.

The airline subsequently grounded the aircraft and announced that it would suspend flights to Haiti “pending further evaluation.” American Airlines and JetBlue followed suit, halting services to the country through at least Thursday.

This escalation of violence comes amid a broader crisis in Haiti, where armed gangs have gained control over large areas, leading to widespread instability.

Previously, Human Rights Watch (HRW) report highlighted the alarming rise in child soldier recruitment by armed gangs in Haiti, driven by worsening humanitarian conditions.

With many children facing near-famine, they are forced to join gangs for survival.

HRW's findings reveal that both boys and girls are subjected to violence and exploitation, with boys used as informants or trained for combat, while girls suffer sexual abuse and forced domestic labor.

The report also described a brutal attack by the Gran Grif gang, which killed at least 70 people, including infants.

The new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who was appointed last week, has vowed to prioritize restoring security. He acknowledged the “difficult circumstances” the country faces and pledged to dedicate all his efforts to addressing the crisis.

Fils-Aimé's comments reflect the urgent need for security reforms in the face of rising gang violence and widespread insecurity.

Footage of the Spirit Airlines incident that surfaced on social media appeared to show several bullet holes inside the aircraft, specifically near the crew seating area.

This attack follows a similar incident in October, when gang members fired on a UN helicopter, leading to temporary flight cancellations for some airlines.

The growing number of attacks on air traffic highlights the severity of the security situation in the Caribbean nation.

In response to the violence, the UN has deployed a peacekeeping force, led by Kenyan officers, to assist in stabilizing the country.

The mission, which began in June, aims to curb the influence of armed gangs and restore law and order.

However, these efforts have yet to prevent such attacks on civilian airliners, underscoring the challenges the UN and local authorities face in regaining control.

The flight suspension has created a significant disruption for both Haitian nationals and travelers to the island.

Flights between Florida and Haiti are a crucial link for the Haitian diaspora and businesses with ties to the country.

Spirit Airlines, based in Florida, is one of the largest carriers serving Haiti, and the suspension of its flights is a significant blow to air travel in the region.

As the violence in Haiti shows no signs of abating, the situation remains precarious, with foreign nationals and locals alike at risk.

The ongoing flight cancellations and the increasingly uncertain security landscape paint a grim picture for the country’s immediate future.

With gang violence continuing to escalate, restoring stability will be a complex and challenging task for Haiti's new leadership and international partners.