Two US Airlines Hit by Gunfire Over Haiti

In a shocking turn of events, two US airlines were struck by gunfire while departing from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to suspend flights to the Caribbean nation for 30 days due to safety concerns.

The targeted flights, operated by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, were all hit by bullets while in the air, though thankfully, no passengers were seriously injured. A flight attendant aboard Spirit Airlines, however, sustained minor injuries.

The FAA issued a Notice to Air Missions on Tuesday, grounding flights to Haiti due to the “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability” in the region.

This decision comes after reports that a Spirit Airlines plane was struck by gunfire four times as it attempted to land at Toussaint Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince. Fortunately, the plane was able to divert and land safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic, avoiding a potential disaster.

According to data from FlightRadar24, the Spirit Airlines plane was just 550 feet from the runway when it aborted its landing and changed course to the Dominican Republic. Although no passengers were injured, one flight attendant suffered unspecified “minor injuries” and was undergoing medical evaluation.

JetBlue, one of the affected airlines, confirmed it is working closely with authorities to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of its crews and passengers. The airline assured the public that safety remains its top priority while officials continue to address the security issues in Haiti.