FAA suspends all flights to Caribbean country, as U.S. warns ‘Level 4: Do not travel’

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended all flights to Haiti for the next 30 days as gang violence spirals out of control.

Last week, gangs fired shots at three planes, including a Spirit Airlines jet attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, according to CBS News. A flight attendant was injured, and the airport was forced to shut down.

JetBlue also found damage from a bullet on one of its planes returning from Haiti during a post-flight inspection in New York.

An American Airlines flight from Haiti’s main airport was also hit by gunfire, according to the airline and a pilot union memo obtained by CNN. American Airlines has suspended flights until Feb. 12.

-AP

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The recent shootings occurred amid a wave of chaos in Haiti, just as a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, was sworn in after Garry Connille was removed from office following a tumultuous six-month term.

Since January, around 3,600 people have been killed in the unrest, and more than 500,000 have been displaced.

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that on Monday there were at least 20 armed clashes and numerous roadblocks, significantly hindering aid efforts. The United Nations has temporarily paused flights to Haiti.

“You will have seen that following a Spirit Airlines was shot at on its final approach at the airport in Port-au-Prince, the airport has now been closed until 18 November,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing.

Once a popular travel destination for cruise ships and Caribbean tourists, Haiti is now under the U.S. State Department’s highest travel advisory – a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning due to escalating gang violence.

The State Department reports that Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March, citing incidents of robbery, carjackings, sexual assaults, widespread kidnappings, as well as mob killings and attacks.

Last Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a security alert, warning about “gang-led efforts” to disrupt travel in and out of the capital. The alert emphasized violent incidents affecting roads, ports and airports.

“The security situation in Haiti remains unpredictable and dangerous,” the embassy advised. “Traveling within the country carries significant risks, and the U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety when traveling to airports, border crossings, or during any local travel.

“Assess your personal safety carefully before making travel plans in Haiti. Only consider traveling or leaving Haiti if you are confident it is safe for you.”