The main international airport in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, closed after a Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire and diverted to the Dominican Republic. Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as the new prime minister of Haiti after the firing of interim prime minister Garry Conille. Fils-Aime, a businessman with little political experience, pledged to restore security across the country, which has been in turmoil since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
The Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale was hit by bullets while making its final approach to Port-au-Prince, leading to its diversion to Santiago, Dominican Republic. Minor injuries were reported among the crew, and the aircraft was found to have damage consistent with gunfire. As a result, Spirit suspended its service to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien, with American Airlines also halting flights to Port-au-Prince. The airport in Port-au-Prince was closed indefinitely to commercial flights.
Haiti has been facing a worsening humanitarian crisis due to gang violence, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and exacerbating poverty and hunger. An escalating gang war has killed thousands of people this year, with the government struggling to maintain law and order with international assistance. Conille was dismissed by the Presidential Transition Council due to lack of progress and failure to follow their advice. The council, tasked with restoring democracy after Moise’s assassination, has faced internal conflicts and allegations of corruption.
The shooting at the airport was the second incident of suspected gang gunfire targeting aircraft over Port-au-Prince in recent weeks. In October, a UN helicopter was hit but was able to land safely with no injuries reported. The US Embassy in Haiti evacuated nonessential staff after gunmen targeted its vehicles. The security situation in Haiti remains precarious, with armed groups controlling significant areas of the country and posing a threat to civilians and diplomatic missions.
The appointment of Fils-Aime as prime minister comes at a critical time for Haiti, with the need to address political instability, violence, and humanitarian challenges. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation and providing assistance to help restore stability in the country. The closure of the main airport in Port-au-Prince highlights the ongoing security concerns facing Haiti and the impact on air travel and international aid efforts. Haiti’s new government faces significant challenges in addressing the root causes of conflict and instability to bring about lasting peace and prosperity for its people.
