Airbus plane shot at over Haiti as armed gangs open fire on passenger jet injuring one flight attendant
An Airbus plane has been shot at over Haiti as armed gangs opened fire on a passenger jet, injuring one flight attendant.
A Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire whilst attempting to land in Port-au-Prince on Monday.
Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was forced to divert to Santiago in the Dominican Republic after being shot at over the Haitian capital.
A flight attendant suffered minor injuries in the incident and was evaluated by medical personnel. No other injuries were reported.
An inspection of the aircraft in Santiago revealed damage “consistent with gunfire”, Spirit Airlines said in a statement.
Flight data showed the plane had descended to just 550 feet over Port-au-Prince’s Tabarre neighbourhood before rapidly pulling up and bypassing the runway.
In a separate incident, JetBlue confirmed its Flight 935 from Haiti to New York was also struck by gunfire on Monday.
The aircraft landed in the US without any reported issues, but a post-flight inspection revealed bullet damage to the plane’s exterior.
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The incidents prompted the closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, with all commercial flights grounded.
Multiple airlines have suspended services following the attacks, with Spirit Airlines halting flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien “pending further evaluation”.
“The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority,” Spirit Airlines said in a statement regarding their suspension.
American Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Haiti until at least Thursday.
JetBlue has implemented the longest suspension, halting all flights to and from Haiti through to December 2.
The incidents come amid deepening political turmoil in Haiti, where armed gangs control approximately 85 per cent of Port-au-Prince, according to UN estimates.
The security situation has deteriorated significantly in recent months, with gangs targeting UN personnel. In October, gang members opened fire at a UN helicopter.