PORT-AU-PRINCE — In a shocking turn of events, two U.S. airline jets were hit by bullets while flying over Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday. This incident has led to the suspension of all flights to and from the capital due to the escalating gang violence in the region.
A Spirit Airlines aircraft was targeted by gunfire while it was preparing to land in Port-au-Prince. The airline reported that one crew member sustained ”minor injuries” as a result of the incident.
According to Spirit Airlines, Flight 951, which was en route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Port-au-Prince, was diverted and made an emergency landing in Santiago, Dominican Republic. An inspection of the aircraft revealed damage consistent with gunfire. Consequently, the aircraft has been grounded, and all Spirit services to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien have been temporarily suspended.
Later on Monday, the Haitian civil aviation authority issued a warning to flight personnel, stating that “air traffic operations are temporarily suspended” at the airport. This notice, known as a notice to airmen, came into effect at 2 p.m. local time on Monday and is expected to last until the following Monday, Nov. 18.
In reaction to the incident involving Spirit Airlines, U.S.-based carriers JetBlue and American Airlines also temporarily halted their flights to and from Haiti.
JetBlue later extended its flight suspension through Dec. 2, after discovering bullet damage on one of its planes returning from Haiti. JetBlue Flight 935 landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport without any initial reports of issues. However, a post-flight inspection revealed that the aircraft’s exterior had been hit by a bullet.
“We are actively investigating this incident in collaboration with relevant authorities,” JetBlue stated, attributing “the ongoing civil unrest” as the reason for its decision to suspend flights.
These incidents coincided with the swearing-in of Haiti’s new prime minister, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, who vowed to restore democracy and security in the country.
Haiti has been grappling with rampant gang violence and political instability for nearly a year, with international entities also being directly affected by the violence in recent weeks. Last month, a United Nations helicopter was hit by bullets while flying over Port-au-Prince. In October, U.S. Embassy vehicles were targeted by gunfire, leading to the evacuation of 20 embassy staff members.
In late February and early March, coordinated gang attacks led to the closure of both the airport and main seaport in the Haitian capital, severely disrupting the supply of food and humanitarian aid to the Caribbean nation.
New Prime Minister Sworn In
On Monday, Fils-Aimé was officially sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister in a ceremony attended by various government officials in Port-au-Prince.
“We are in a transition, an immense project. Of course, the essential first project — and one necessary to the success of the transition — is the reestablishment of security!” Fils-Aimé proclaimed at the ceremony, earning applause from the attendees.
The transitional council selected Fils-Aimé for the role after eight of its nine voting members signed a declaration on Nov. 8 to replace Garry Conille, who had been in office for less than a year. Copies of the signed declaration were leaked over the weekend and published in the country’s official gazette early Monday.
In a statement shared with CNN on Sunday, council member Fritz Jean said the council reached its decision after considering several issues with Conille’s tenure as prime minister. Among them, Jean said Conille had made decisions without informing the council and took on the duties of the president, such as engaging in diplomatic affairs.
Conille has not yet publicly commented on the resolution. CNN has reached out to the prime minister’s office for comment.
Conille’s predecessor Ariel Henry stepped down earlier this year amid spiraling gang violence.
Disagree – That’s a terrifying situation, violence should never be accepted.
Disagree – This is a horrifying crime that must be condemned.
Disagree – Violent attacks on innocent civilians are always unacceptable and must be stopped.
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