A Spirit Airlines flight en route to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted on Monday after the aircraft was hit by gunfire near its destination.
Spirit Flight 951, which took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), was nearing the Haitian capital when it encountered gunfire, prompting the crew to abort the landing.
The flight was redirected to Cibao International Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, where the plane safely landed.
An inspection of the aircraft revealed gunshot damage to the fuselage, though no passengers were injured.
A flight attendant reportedly suffered minor injuries and is currently being evaluated by medical personnel.
Spirit Airlines issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating, “The safety of our passengers and team members is our top priority.”
Following the incident, Spirit Airlines suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien pending further safety assessments. American Airlines and JetBlue also announced they will suspend their services to Haiti through Thursday.
This incident comes amid escalating violence in Haiti, where political tensions are running high. The country is awaiting the inauguration of businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the new prime minister, following the dismissal of Garry Conille. Armed gangs in Haiti, particularly the main coalition known as Vivre Ensemble (Living Together), have recently declared plans to intensify violence, leading to increased concerns about safety.
The situation in Haiti has become increasingly dire, with violence linked to gang activities continuing to escalate.
The United Nations Integrated Office in the Caribbean reported that between July and September, at least 1,223 people were killed, with another 522 injured due to gang violence. In the first half of the year, the total number of victims reached nearly 3,900, with 2023 ending with approximately 8,000 people affected by the ongoing violence.
Spirit Airlines is arranging for the affected passengers and crew to return to Fort Lauderdale on another aircraft as the investigation into the incident continues.
With heightened security risks, international airlines are taking precautionary measures, putting travel to Haiti on hold until conditions improve.
