FAA Temporarily Bans U.S. Airlines from Flying to Haiti After Gunfire Incidents There

13.11.2024 - 23:33 / travelandleisure.com / Spirit Airlines / Royal Caribbean / U.S.Airlines / Reuters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily banned U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti following several aircraft being hit with gunfire there.

The agency’s flight prohibition applies to all U.S. air carriers and commercial operators operating in Haiti's territory and airspace below 10,000 feet, according to the FAA. The prohibition was issued on Tuesday “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability.”

The prohibition will be in effect for 30 days, Reuters reported, and comes after three commercial jets were struck by gunfire there, including an American Airlines plane, a Spirit Airlines plane, and a JetBlue plane.

Gunfire befell a Spirit Airlines flight that was headed to Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the plane to divert to the neighboring Dominican Republic. The plane was damaged in the incident and taken out of service.

A JetBlue flight returning from the Caribbean country similarly noticed bullet damage when it landed in New York. And American Airlines said one of its planes was also struck by a bullet in Haiti, which was discovered during a post-flight inspection in Miami. American Airlines then said it would suspend service to Haiti through Feb. 12, Reuters reported.

While flights are currently halted, Royal Caribbean confirmed to Travel + Leisure it will continue to stop at its private beach in Labadee, Haiti.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told T+L. “Our Global Security and Intelligence Team continuously monitor the situation in Haiti. Currently, there are no changes to our planned itineraries.”

The dangerous incidents come amid the news Haiti replaced its interim prime minister, The Associated Press reported. The wire service said the country hasn’t held democratic elections in years, in part due to high levels of gang violence.

The U.S. Department of State currently recommends against travel to Haiti. The country is listed under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory.

“Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed,” the State Department wrote in its advisory, adding, “The airport in Port-au-Prince can be a focal point for armed activity.”