The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 30-day ban on U.S. civilian flights to and from Haiti following a dangerous incident on Monday in which a Spirit Airlines plane was struck by gunfire as it attempted to land in Port-au-Prince. Effective immediately, the ban also restricts U.S. flights from operating below 10,000 feet in Haitian airspace.
The incident involved Spirit Airlines Flight 951 traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The plane diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic around 11:30 a.m. after sustaining damage. While no passengers were reported injured, one flight attendant sustained minor injuries, according to the airline. In response, Spirit diverted two other flights, and JetBlue Airways and American Airlines canceled scheduled flights to Port-au-Prince.
The situation in Haiti has become increasingly tense. The U.S. State Department released a statement on Monday noting that the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-related efforts to block travel to and from the capital. This includes armed violence and disruptions to major transportation hubs such as roads, ports, and airports.
