Photo: U.S. Navy / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a 30-day ban on U.S. flights to Haiti following two incidents of commercial jetliners being struck by gunfire. The ban, which applies to "U.S. civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet," was announced on Tuesday (November 12), according to a Notice to Air Mission issued by the FAA.
The decision comes after a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Haiti was diverted after being hit by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The plane was struck four times and was forced to land in Santiago, Dominican Republic. No passengers were injured, but a flight attendant reported minor injuries and is currently undergoing medical evaluation.
On the same day, a JetBlue flight from Haiti to New York City was also hit by a bullet. In response to the civil unrest in the country, JetBlue has suspended all flights to and from Haiti through December 2, U.S. News reported.
The FAA's ban reflects the increasing security instability in Haiti, where armed gangs have reportedly shot at aircraft in recent weeks. The situation has deteriorated to the point where even a U.N. helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince last month.