FAA Bans US Flights to Haiti After Aircraft Hit by Gunfire

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a 30-day prohibition on US civilian flights to and from Haiti following recent security incidents. This action, effective November 12, 2024, comes after reports of gunfire targeting aircraft attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The FAA’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricts US carriers and commercial operators from flying below 10,000 feet within Haitian airspace due to heightened safety risks from ongoing security instability.

The restriction impacts all US air carriers and commercial operators, with exceptions for US-registered aircraft operated by foreign carriers. The FAA may permit certain flights on a case-by-case basis, and pilots are authorized to deviate from this NOTAM only in emergencies requiring immediate action for flight safety.

The directive follows an incident on November 11, when gunfire struck Spirit Airlines Flight 951 as it attempted to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince. The Airbus A320-271N aircraft was hit four times in a gang-related shooting incident, resulting in minor injuries to a flight attendant, though no passengers were harmed.

The FAA’s decision underscores ongoing security concerns for aviation in Haiti, where instability poses a significant risk to both flight operations and passenger safety. The ban on flights will remain until conditions improve, with the FAA closely monitoring the situation.

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