FAA Prohibits US Airlines from Flying to Haiti Due to Gunfire Hitting Passenger Aircraft

November 12, 2024 TruthUSA

Spirit Airlines and JetBlue have both reported incidents of gunfire striking their jets at the Port-au-Prince airport recently.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 30-day ban on all civilian flights to Haiti after at least two passenger jets were struck by gunfire at the Port-au-Prince airport this week.

The FAA issued a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operations in Haitian territory and airspace below 10,000 feet for the next month.

A Spirit Airlines flight en route to Port-au-Prince was hit by gunfire on Monday, leading to its diversion to the Dominican Republic, while a JetBlue Airways flight returning from Port-au-Prince was found with bullet damage upon landing in New York.

In a statement, the FAA revealed that the Spirit Airlines plane landed in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, after being damaged by gunfire during its attempted landing in Port-au-Prince. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“As a precaution, two other flights scheduled for Port-au-Prince were diverted. The airport is currently closed,” the FAA stated. “For more information on the investigation, contact local authorities and reach out to the airline regarding passengers on board.”

Although the FAA did not directly address the incident, JetBlue announced an extension of the suspension of all flights to and from Haiti until Dec. 2 due to the bullet damage discovered on a returning flight from Port-au-Prince.

JetBlue Flight 935 landed in New York without any reported issues, but a post-flight inspection revealed bullet damage on the aircraft’s exterior.

“We are currently working with relevant authorities to investigate this incident,” JetBlue stated.

Reports indicate that armed gangs in Port-au-Prince have been targeting aircraft in recent weeks as security conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate. Last month, a United Nations helicopter was also hit by gunfire over the city.

On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert warning of gang-led activities obstructing travel in the area through armed violence, road blockades, and disruptions at ports and airports.

“The security situation in Haiti is highly volatile and dangerous,” the embassy cautioned. “Travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution when traveling to airports, borders, and during onward travel.”

The U.S. Department of State currently designates Haiti as a “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” destination due to risks of kidnappings, crime, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, civil unrest, and mob attacks.

“The airport in Port-au-Prince is a hotspot for armed incidents, with frequent armed robberies and carjackings targeting vulnerable vehicles, particularly lone drivers and women. As a precaution, U.S. embassy personnel are required to use official transportation to and from the airport,” according to an advisory updated on Sept. 24 by the State Department.

Since the assassination of then-President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, Haiti’s security situation has continued to deteriorate, leading to a rise in gang activity and a significant security vacuum.

A September report from the UN revealed that “at least 3,661 people have been killed since the beginning of the year” due to unrest and violence by armed criminal groups and gangs.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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