A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was struck by gunfire while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, causing a diversion to the Dominican Republic. The airline confirmed that Flight 951 was hit as it approached the Haitian capital on Monday. The aircraft landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic, where an inspection revealed damage consistent with gunfire.

Spirit Airlines quickly took the affected plane out of service and made alternative arrangements for the passengers and crew to return to Fort Lauderdale on a different aircraft. Emphasizing their commitment to safety, the airline has temporarily suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien in Haiti, pending further assessment of the situation.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has acknowledged gang-related efforts to obstruct travel to and from the city, potentially involving armed violence and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports. The embassy has described the security environment in Haiti as unpredictable and hazardous, advising that travel within the country is undertaken at personal risk. The embassy also indicated that it cannot assure the safety of U.S. citizens traveling to airports or borders within Haiti.

These security measures and advisories coincided with the removal of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille from office after only six months in his position, adding to the country’s instability and concerns for travelers.