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A Spirit Airlines A320neo (not the aircraft in the incident).
A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo was hit by gunfire while attempting to land at Touissant L’Overture Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Nov. 11, forcing the aircraft to be diverted to the Dominican Republic and the airport to ground flights.
After the aircraft landed safely at Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago, Dominican Republic, “an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire,” a Spirit spokesperson told Aviation Week. “One flight attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel.”
A security alert issued by the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince said there are “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports and airports,” adding: “Do not travel to Haiti.”
Spirit and other U.S. airlines have canceled scheduled flights to PAP.
Spirit said flight 951 was en route to Port-au-Prince from its Fort Lauderdale, Florida base. The spokesperson said the A320neo “has been taken out of service, and we are arranging for a different aircraft to return” crew and passengers to Fort Lauderdale.
The airline has suspended service to both PAP and Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the U.S. embassy said in the Nov. 11 security alert. “Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders or during any onward travel.”
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