Spirit Airlines Plane Bound for Haiti Hit by Gunfire, Injures Crew Member; Flight Diverted to Dominican Republic
Spirit Airlines Plane Bound for Haiti: In a shocking incident on Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight was struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The flight, which had taken off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was met with hostile gunfire from gangs near Toussaint Louverture International Airport, creating a chaotic and dangerous situation for the passengers and crew.
One flight attendant on board sustained minor injuries after being grazed by a bullet. Spirit Airlines quickly diverted the aircraft, rerouting it to Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI) for safety. After landing, an inspection revealed evidence of damage consistent with gunfire on the plane.
Spirit Airlines swiftly responded to the incident, stating, “Spirit Airlines flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Port-au-Prince (PAP) diverted and landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI). Following the flight’s arrival at STI, an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire. One Flight Attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel.”
Although no passengers were reported injured, Spirit Airlines emphasized that their “top priority” is the safety of guests and crew. The airline has temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince (PAP) and Cap-Haitien (CAP) pending further assessment of the security situation in Haiti.
Following the incident with Spirit Airlines, a JetBlue Airways plane and an Amerijet Cargo aircraft, both en route to Port-au-Prince, were turned away as a precautionary measure, highlighting the growing security concerns around the airport. This tragic event underscores the ongoing instability in Haiti, where escalating gang violence poses risks to air traffic and local security.
Spirit Airlines is working to arrange an alternative aircraft to transport guests and crew back to Fort Lauderdale. The company expressed its commitment to passenger and crew safety, ensuring a swift response to incidents like this and adjusting operations accordingly.
