FAA Suspends U.S.-Haiti Flights After Aircraft Struck by Gunfire

FAA Implements 30-Day Flight Suspension After Gunfire Incident Near Port-au-Prince Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended flights from the United States to Haiti for 30 days, citing safety concerns after a Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire near Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.

The incident occurred Monday when Spirit Airlines Flight 951, traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sustained damage from gunfire as it approached the airport. The aircraft was diverted to the Dominican Republic, and a flight attendant was injured during the event.  

In response, two other flights scheduled to land in Port-au-Prince the same day were rerouted as a precaution. JetBlue later confirmed that one of its planes departing from the airport was also struck by a bullet, though no operational issues or injuries occurred. Major airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, have since suspended operations to and from Haiti.  

The FAA described the suspension as necessary to address "safety-of-flight risks" tied to escalating violence and insecurity in Haiti. Gang activity and political instability have worsened significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has also paused airport operations and reiterated warnings against travel to the region.  

Amid this unrest, Haiti’s transitional presidential council recently replaced interim Prime Minister Garry Conille with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The move follows the assassination of the country’s former prime minister and has drawn criticism for allegedly bypassing constitutional procedures. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called for prioritizing governance and accountability to stabilize the nation.  

This incident highlights ongoing threats to aviation in Haiti. In October, a U.N. helicopter was struck by gunfire in Port-au-Prince, and earlier this year, gang activities forced the temporary closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport for nearly three months.