The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a temporary suspension of U.S. airline flights over Haiti, effective for the next 30 days. The decision comes after two commercial flights were hit by gunfire while transiting Haiti’s territory, raising alarms about escalating security threats.
On Monday, a Spirit Airlines plane bound for Haiti’s capital had to divert to the Dominican Republic after being hit, while a JetBlue flight returning from Port-au-Prince arrived in New York with bullet damage. In response, JetBlue has extended its suspension of flights to and from Haiti until December 2.
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated, with armed gangs targeting aircraft. Last month a UN helicopter was shot at. Meanwhile, Haiti’s newly appointed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime has pledged to restore security amid these tensions following the resignation of his predecessor, Garry Conille.
(With input from agencies.)