A Spirit Airlines flight en route to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was struck by gunfire on Monday, resulting in minor injuries to a flight attendant. Spirit confirmed that its flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was rerouted to the Dominican Republic following the incident. An inspection of the aircraft revealed damage consistent with gunfire. No passengers were injured, and the injured crew member is receiving medical evaluation. Spirit announced it is temporarily suspending flights to Haiti for further safety evaluation.
The incident follows heightened concerns in the region, with the U.S. State Department issuing a travel warning of “gang-led efforts” aimed at disrupting movement to and from Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince emphasized that gang activity may include “armed violence” and disrupt transport by air, road, and sea.
Additionally, JetBlue found evidence of possible gunfire damage on a plane traveling from Port-au-Prince to New York after a routine post-flight inspection. JetBlue has since suspended its Haiti-bound flights until December 2, attributing the halt to “ongoing civil unrest.” American Airlines also suspended service from Miami to Port-au-Prince, citing passenger and crew safety as a top priority.
These disruptions stem from escalating violence in Haiti, where political turmoil has intensified following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. With no elections held since then, Haiti remains plagued by armed groups competing for control, leading to increased violence and uncertainty in the region.
