American aviation authority bars US airlines from Haiti after gunfire hits planes

WASHINGTON – The US Federal Aviation Administration said on Nov 12 it will bar US airlines from operating in Haiti for 30 days after two commercial jetliners were struck by gunfire on Nov 11.

The FAA issued a Notice to Air Mission prohibiting US airlines from operating flights in Haiti’s territory and airspace below 3,048m for 30 days, citing “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability”.

On Nov 11, a Spirit Airlines flight destined for the Haitian capital was struck by gunfire, forcing it to be diverted to the neighbouring Dominican Republic, while a JetBlue Airways flight returning from Port-au-Prince was discovered with bullet damage after arriving in New York.

JetBlue Airways said on the night of Nov 11 it would extend a halt to all flights to and from Haiti until Dec 2.

Spirit said

its plane had been damaged

and taken out of commission upon landing in the northern Dominican city of Santiago. A flight attendant was injured in the incident, while no passengers were harmed.

Armed gangs in Haiti’s capital have shot at aircraft in recent weeks as the security situation deteriorates. In October, a UN helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince.

On Nov 11, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime

took office pledging to improve security.

Mr Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation’s transitional council over the weekend to succeed Mr Garry Conille, who lasted in the role only for six months. REUTERS