The abrupt suspension of flights by US carriers to Haiti comes in response to alarming attacks on passenger planes, highlighting the escalating violence and turmoil in the nation.
US Airlines Cease Flights to Haiti Amid Escalating Violence
US Airlines Cease Flights to Haiti Amid Escalating Violence
US aviation authorities halt operations to Haiti following a series of gunfire incidents targeting commercial planes, citing significant security concerns.
The aviation landscape between the US and Haiti has drastically changed as flights to the Caribbean nation face a 30-day suspension due to recent violent attacks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a ban on flights after multiple incidents where commercial aircraft operated by JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines were hit by gunfire on a single Monday. Fortunately, although a flight attendant aboard the Spirit Airlines flight sustained minor injuries, no passengers were harmed.
This suspension follows an urgent FAA Notice to Air Missions (Notam), which points to serious “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability” in Haiti. Consequently, US flights are now prohibited from flying within a 10,000-feet radius of Haitian airspace.
The investigation into these attacks has drawn the attention of the FBI, which has joined local law enforcement efforts. The agency acknowledged its awareness of the situation but has refrained from providing further comments as the investigation progresses.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has seen a severe rise in gang-related violence, especially since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Since the beginning of the year, over 3,600 lives have been lost and upwards of 500,000 individuals displaced, according to UN estimates. The ongoing chaos has raised concerns among the substantial Haitian diaspora residing in the United States.
In a series of distressing incidents, American Airlines disclosed that its Flight 819 was struck by a bullet while flying to Miami, a discovery made during a post-flight inspection. Similarly, JetBlue Airways realized its Flight 634 returning from Port-au-Prince had been damaged by gunfire upon landing in New York. Spirit Airlines, while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, was also targeted and rerouted safely to Santiago, Dominican Republic.
In response to these harrowing developments, the US embassy in Haiti has expressed vigilance concerning gang activities that could disrupt travel to and from Port-au-Prince. The embassy emphasized the unpredictable and perilous nature of the current security situation. Just before these incidents, Haiti welcomed a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who has made restoring security his top priority.
On the diplomatic front, the US state department has urged Haitian leaders to prioritize the welfare of its citizens over personal motives. In a public statement, the department highlighted the critical need for effective governance amidst the ongoing crisis, calling on the transitional government to set aside political differences for the betterment of the Haitian people.
