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FAA Bans Flights to Haiti Amidst Gunfire Incidents
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended all flights to and from Haiti for at least 30 days following two incidents of gunfire targeting aircraft. The ban also restricts most U.S. flights from flying below 10,000 feet over Haiti due to ongoing security concerns.
On Monday, a JetBlue plane and a Spirit Airlines flight were shot at near the Port-au-Prince airport. A Spirit crew member was slightly injured, and the flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic.
The FAA cited “safety of flight risks” associated with the violent unrest in Haiti as the reason for the ban. Only emergency flights authorized by the U.S. government and approved by the FAA will be permitted.
The incidents occurred amid the ongoing gang violence in Haiti, which has escalated in recent months. The country’s former prime minister, Garry Conille, was fired on the same day as the shootings.
Haiti-based Sunrise Airways has stated that its flights have not been affected by the FAA ban or the gunfire incidents. However, American Airlines and JetBlue have canceled flights to Haiti, with Spirit Airlines suspending all flights pending an investigation.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has advised Americans to be aware of potential gang violence and disruptions to transportation.