### Airlines Suspend Flights to Haiti After US Passenger Plane Targeted by Gunfire

Several airlines have halted flights to Haiti following an alarming incident in which a US passenger plane came under gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. Spirit Airlines Flight 951, traveling from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic, where it safely landed at Santiago Airport. According to the airline, the attack resulted in minor injuries to a flight attendant, while all passengers escaped unscathed.

This marks the second occurrence in just three weeks where aircraft have been targeted over the Haitian capital, reflecting the escalating security concerns in the country. Haiti is currently experiencing severe political turmoil, with armed gangs asserting control over significant regions.

Scheduled to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Monday shortly before noon, the Spirit Airlines plane was struck by gunfire. On social media, unverified video footage purportedly shows several bullet holes inside the aircraft's cabin where the crew was seated during take-off and landing. Upon inspection at Santiago Airport, the damage was found to be "consistent with gunfire," leading to the aircraft being removed from service for further examination.

In light of the incident, Spirit Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Haiti pending further evaluation. Similarly, American Airlines and JetBlue have also suspended their services to Haiti, setting a tentative resumption date for Thursday.

The security climate in Haiti has progressively deteriorated, with a rise in violent activities from armed gangs. In October, a UN helicopter was fired upon by gang members, prompting several airlines to temporarily cease flights to the troubled Caribbean nation. Efforts to restore stability are underway, with a UN-backed policing mission led by Kenyan officers commencing in June to take control from the gangs.

Spirit Airlines, headquartered in Florida, is known for its low-cost operations and serves destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean, and Latin America.