Haiti’s international airport shut down temporarily on Monday (Nov. 11) after gangs opened fire at a Spirit Airlines flight. The aircraft was landing in Port-Au-Prince, per the U.S. State Department and the airline. The incident happened while a new prime minister was sworn in.
More Details About Spirit Airlines Incident In Haiti
According to the Associated Press, the flight was headed to Port-Au-Prince from Fort Lauderdale. Before landing in the country’s capital, gunfire struck it multiple times. One flight attendant was shot but suffered minor injuries. Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press show bullet holes dotting the interior of the plane.
In response to the attack, the plane changed directions and landed in the Dominican Republic, per Spirit Airlines. It appeared to be part of what the U.S. Embassy called “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which may include armed violence and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports.”
BREAKING: Spirit Airlines flight from Florida hit by gunfire while trying to land in Haiti. pic.twitter.com/M3DbjlC4sb
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) November 11, 2024
Last month, Spirit Airlines temporarily canceled its daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Port-Au-Prince because of the same risks. At the time, AP reported that gang members had opened fire and hit a U.N. helicopter flying near the country’s main airport. So, Spirit suspended flights the day after the incident for the safety of its passengers and team members.
What Else Is Going On In Haiti?
In other parts of Haiti’s capital, firefights between gangs and police broke out. Rounds of gunfire echoed through the streets as heavily armed officers ducked behind walls and civilians ran in terror. In other upper-class areas, gangs set fire to homes. Schools closed as panic spread in a number of areas.
The turmoil comes a day after a council fired the interim prime minister Garry Conille and him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. For context, the council came together in April to reestablish democratic order in the Caribbean nation. They were tasked with picking a new prime minister and Cabinet. Ahead of the replacement, the group has not been in the best space with Garry Conille, despite them hand-picking him as interim prime minister six months ago. Also, things within the group haven’t been that smooth. Corruption rumors surround at least three members along with other reports of infighting.
The country at large has seen an explosion in violence since the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. There have reportedly been weeks of political chaos, and bloodshed has become a norm. Gangs have previously used political chaos to make power plays, from shutting down airports to gatekeeping shipping ports. Still, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Haiti aside, Spirit Airlines recently made media headlines after passengers spotted a “super rat” on their flight from Dallas to Los Angeles.
RELATED: Yikes! Spirit Airlines Passengers React After Seemingly Spotting A “Super Rat” During Their Flight (WATCH)
Associated Press reporters Pierre Luxama, Evens Sanon, and Megan Janetsky contributed to this report.
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