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The U.S. aviation regulator has issued a 30-day flight ban to Haiti for U.S.-based carriers following a string of gunfire incidents targeting commercial aircraft over Port-au-Prince. American Airlines confirmed that one of its planes was hit by bullets after departing Toussaint Louverture International Airport, adding to reports that a Spirit Airlines flight and a JetBlue Airways aircraft were also struck on Monday. No passengers were injured, though a Spirit Airlines crew member suffered minor injuries.
The American Airlines flight was inspected after landing safely in Miami, revealing gunfire damage consistent with recent incidents over the Haitian capital. In response, American Airlines has temporarily halted flights between Miami and Port-au-Prince. JetBlue, whose affected flight landed in New York without reported issues, extended its suspension of flights to Haiti through December 2.
The FAA’s Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) bans all U.S.-registered civil aviation operations in Haitian airspace below 10,000 feet, except for emergency and government-authorized flights. The directive underscores the severity of security concerns linked to armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, which have intensified amid political instability and violence.
On Tuesday, Haitian authorities temporarily closed Toussaint Louverture International Airport, halting flights for a week. The United Nations also suspended its flights, citing safety concerns. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that the move would limit humanitarian aid flow and delay the transport of critical supplies to affected regions.
Haiti’s transitional government has attributed the shootings to armed gangs, accusing them of attempting to isolate the nation. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé pledged to hold the perpetrators accountable amid mounting international concern over security conditions. The violence comes as the country grapples with political uncertainty following leadership changes and ongoing power struggles, which have stoked tensions with gang coalitions.
With Haiti’s capital facing recurring violence, the flight suspensions further isolate a nation already reeling from economic and humanitarian crises. The incidents reflect broader instability in Port-au-Prince, which has seen rising attacks on diplomatic and commercial entities, including UN and U.S. embassy assets.
