Following reports that flights from Haiti, including one bound for Texas, were struck by gunfire, JetBlue and other airlines are suspending service to the region for safety.
A JetBlue flight from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, landed safely at New York’s JFK Airport on Monday, but post-flight inspections later revealed a bullet had struck the aircraft’s exterior.
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This incident comes on the heels of another report that a Spirit Airlines plane was also hit by gunfire as it landed in Haiti the same day, injuring a flight attendant.
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Both JetBlue and Spirit Airlines serve flights from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
JetBlue issued a statement confirming the incident on flight 935, stating, “On Monday, November 11, JetBlue flight 935 from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, landed safely at New York’s JFK Airport. While no issues were initially reported by the operating crew, a post-flight inspection later identified that the aircraft’s exterior had been struck by a bullet. We are actively investigating this incident in collaboration with relevant authorities.”
As a result of escalating civil unrest and security risks in Haiti, JetBlue announced it is suspending all flights to and from Haiti through Dec. 2 and continues to monitor the situation closely. “Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our customers and crewmembers,” the statement read.
The unrest in Haiti has intensified, with the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince reporting “gang-led efforts to block travel” in the region. The situation has prompted several airlines, including Texas-based American Airlines, to adjust their operations. American Airlines has temporarily paused its daily flights from Miami to Port-au-Prince until Nov. 18, citing safety concerns.
“As a result of the closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), our daily service from Miami International Airport (MIA) has been suspended until Monday, Nov. 18. We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed.
To provide additional flexibility for customers, we’ve issued a travel alert. Before heading to the airport, customers should check their flight’s status on aa.com or the American Airlines smartphone app.”
As security concerns persist, authorities and airlines are urging travelers to exercise caution and stay informed about any further flight changes.
