A recent Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale faced an unexpected diversion due to gunfire, highlighting ongoing instability in Haiti.
On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight, identified as Flight 951, departed from Fort Lauderdale heading towards Port-au-Prince, Haiti. However, it was forced to divert to Santiago, Dominican Republic after the aircraft was struck by gunfire. The flight managed to land safely in Santiago, with no passengers injured, despite a flight attendant sustaining minor injuries which required medical evaluation.
An inspection of the plane revealed damage consistent with gunfire. This unsettling revelation was compounded by a video circulating on X, previously Twitter, which displayed bullet holes in the emergency exit door and overhead compartments. “There was confusion. We didn’t know exactly what was going on but the crew was very traumatized,” a passenger recounted, underscoring the tension during the flight.
Eyewitness Jean David Desrouleaux, who was on the flight, described the harrowing experience. “A cracking noise, crack, crack, crack,” he stated, likening it to gunfire. He further detailed how the situation escalated quickly as the pilot had to take evasive action to leave the Port-au-Prince area rapidly.
In response to the incident, Spirit Airlines has temporarily suspended services to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien for further evaluation. Similar actions were taken by Jet Blue Airlines and American Airlines, both of which have also suspended flights to these regions amid rising safety concerns.
The U.S. State Department, responding to the volatile conditions in Haiti, issued a travel advisory urging Americans to refrain from traveling to and from Haiti. The advisory comes at a time when Haiti’s main airport is temporarily closed, as gangs reportedly attempt to seize control of the facility, intensifying the chaotic political climate.
Meanwhile, Haiti is experiencing political turmoil, evidenced by the recent ousting of Prime Minister Garry Conille and the forthcoming swearing-in of Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the new prime minister. United Nations Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric emphasized the urgent need for political stability in Haiti, stressing the importance of leadership focused on restoring law and order.
Back in Fort Lauderdale, passengers of the diverted flight were seen making their way through customs. The airline is arranging for another aircraft to transport them back safely to Fort Lauderdale. The incident underscores the unpredictable and precarious situation in Haiti, impacting aviation operations in the region.
The unexpected diversion of Spirit Airlines Flight 951 underscores the ongoing challenges facing Haiti amid political and social unrest. The swift response from airlines and international bodies reflects a broader concern for safety and stability in the area.
Source: WSVN 7News
