US Suspends Flights to Haiti: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended all flights from US carriers to Haiti for at least 30 days following a series of gun attacks on planes departing from the country. On Monday, aircraft from JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines were struck by bullets while flying from Haiti to the US. A flight attendant on a Spirit Airlines flight sustained minor injuries, but no passengers were harmed.
The FAA’s decision came after these incidents, which raised concerns over safety due to escalating gang violence in Haiti. The attacks occurred amid a surge in violence linked to gang warfare, which has plagued the country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The United Nations reports over 3,600 deaths and more than 500,000 displaced individuals this year alone.
US flights are now restricted from operating within 10,000 feet of Haitian airspace, marking a significant escalation in the aviation risks associated with Haiti. The FBI has joined investigations into the Spirit Airlines shooting, working with local authorities to address the security situation.
While US airlines had already independently suspended flights following the attacks, the FAA’s move formalizes the ban, highlighting the growing concern over Haiti’s deteriorating security. The US embassy in Haiti confirmed awareness of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, warning that the security situation remains unpredictable and dangerous.
The latest attacks occurred as a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, assumed office, with a stated focus on restoring security amidst the country’s ongoing crisis. The US State Department has called on Haiti’s leadership to prioritize governance and address the nation’s immediate needs, urging the transitional government to act swiftly in the face of mounting challenges.
