Spirit Airlines Plane to Haiti Hit by Gunfire: JetBlue and American Suspend Flights
Breaking: Spirit Airlines plane en route to Haiti on Tuesday evening was struck by gunfire shortly after takeoff.
Spirit Airlines flight 1228, carrying 149 passengers, was scheduled to depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff after being struck by gunfire. The incident occurred near the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.
Armed men opened fire on the plane as it approached the airport
The plane landed safely at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport just before 9 p.m. and the passengers were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
Spirit Airlines released a statement saying that it is "aware of the incident involving Spirit flight 1228 bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which returned to Fort Lauderdale due to an operational issue." JetBlue and American Airlines have suspended flights to Haiti in the wake of the incident.
The incident is the latest in a series of security concerns surrounding travel to Haiti.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Haiti, warning travelers to exercise caution due to civil unrest and crime. The country has been plagued by violence, including gang-related crime. Political instability and fuel shortages have also led to widespread protests and unrest.
The suspension of flights by JetBlue and American Airlines is likely to further disrupt travel to Haiti.
The two airlines are among the largest carriers that offer flights to the country. JetBlue has suspended its flights indefinitely, while American Airlines has suspended its flights until further notice.
Travelers who are planning to visit Haiti should be aware of the security risks
and should take precautions to stay safe. They should avoid traveling alone, especially at night, and should be aware of their surroundings. They should also be aware of any protests or other unrest and should avoid areas where there is a risk of violence.
Here are some additional tips for travelers planning to visit Haiti:
- Research your destination before you go.
- Be aware of the security risks and take precautions to stay safe.
- Avoid traveling alone, especially at night.
- Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
- Purchase travel insurance in case of emergencies.
