Two United States-based airlines were struck by bullets on Monday while flying over Haiti's Port-au-Prince, sparking a suspension of all flights in and out of the capital amid rising gang violence.
JetBlue Airways announced on Monday it extended a halt on all flights to and from Haiti through Dec. 2 after a plane was struck by gunfire while returning from Port-au-Prince.
JetBlue said its Flight 935 arrived later on Monday in New York without reporting any issues but a post-flight inspection that later identified exterior damage to the plane caused by a bullet.
“We are actively investigating this incident in collaboration with relevant authorities,” JetBlue said, citing “the going civil unrest” for its decision to suspend flights.
Additionally, Spirit Airlines flight heading to Haiti was also struck by gunfire - forcing it to be diverted to Dominican Republic on Monday.
Spirit said in a statement that its plane had been damaged and taken out of commission upon landing in the northern Dominican city of Santiago.
A flight attendant reportedly sustained "minor injuries," while no passengers were harmed.
In response to the Spirit incident, US-based carriers JetBlue and American Airlines temporarily cancelled flights to and from Haiti.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert saying that it was "aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports."
Armed gangs in Haiti's capital have shot at aircraft in recent weeks as the security situation deteriorates. Last month, a U.N. helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince.
The latest incident comes amid political turmoil, following a vote by Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council to replace Prime Minister Garry Conille after less than half a year in office.
According to a government communique, the governing council signed a declaration on November 8 which removed Conille from his position and named businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the new prime minister.
Conille’s predecessor Ariel Henry stepped down earlier this year amid spiraling gang violence.
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