Passenger plane hit by gunfire while attempting to land

News Express |12th Nov 2024 | 1,831
Passenger plane hit by gunfire while attempting to land

Spirit Airlines craft




ASpirit Airlinesflight from Florida was hit by gunfire while trying to land inHaiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday and diverted to the neighboring country of the Dominican Republic, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

A flight attendant sustained minor injuries during the incident.




Two other flights bound for Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport were diverted as a precaution, the FAA said in a statement.

Spirit Airlines Flight 951 took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, just north of Miami, on Monday morning, bound for Port-au-Prince.

According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware, the flight flew over parts of Haiti and circled around Port-au-Prince before diverting to Cibao International Airport in Santiago,Dominican Republic.

The flight landed safely, according to Spirit. The airport said 48 passengers were on the flight. In Santiago, the aircraft was inspected, and damage consistent with gunfire was found, the airline said.

A flight attendants union, the Association of Flight Attendants, confirmed to CBS News that a flight attendant on the plane sustained minor injuries from debris during the incident. No passenger injuries were reported, according to Spirit.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said in asecurity alertMonday it was aware of "gang-led efforts" to block travel to and from the capital that may include "armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports."

"The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous," the embassy said. "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. You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti."

Following the incident, Spirit and other airlines suspended service to Haiti.

Spirit said its service at Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien in northern Haiti was suspended "pending further evaluation."

American Airlines said it was suspending flights between Miami and Port-au-Prince through Thursday. "We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed," the airline said in a statement.

JetBlue canceled its flights to and from Haiti through Thursday. "We will continue to monitor the situation to determine if additional cancellations may be required," the carrier said in a statement.(Courtesy, excluding headline, CBS News)




Comments

Post Comment

APC slams Babachir for blaming terrorism on Muslim-Muslim ticket

APC slams Babachir for blaming terrorism on Muslim-Muslim ticket

Trump’s threat: New twist as US congressman proposes sanctions on Nigeria

Trump’s threat: New twist as US congressman proposes sanctions on Nigeria

Igbo group hails FG’s move for Ekweremadu’s repatriation from UK

Igbo group hails FG’s move for Ekweremadu’s repatriation from UK

24 basketball stars, 5,000 dancers for Abuja basketball tourney

24 basketball stars, 5,000 dancers for Abuja basketball tourney

House shuts down plenary amid tension over budget

House shuts down plenary amid tension over budget

Tiv council denies endorsing Gov Alia’s second-term bid

Tiv council denies endorsing Gov Alia’s second-term bid

Those against PDP convention are pushing for one-party state — Olafeso

Those against PDP convention are pushing for one-party state — Olafeso

Insecurity: President Tinubu receives briefing from COAS

Insecurity: President Tinubu receives briefing from COAS

PDP is in trouble, party comatose — Fayose

PDP is in trouble, party comatose — Fayose

Eight arrested, over 1,000 suspended in Turkiye football gambling scandal

Eight arrested, over 1,000 suspended in Turkiye football gambling scandal

Exclusive: ‘She was the best man for the job’: Hegseth’s policies are pushing qualified women out of the military

Exclusive: ‘She was the best man for the job’: Hegseth’s policies are pushing qualified women out of the military

ICE arrests Moldovan illegal immigrant and convicted killer who tortured, threw victim out ninth-floor windo

ICE arrests Moldovan illegal immigrant and convicted killer who tortured, threw victim out ninth-floor windo

Obama surprises dozens of veterans after their plane arrives in Washington for Veterans Day

Obama surprises dozens of veterans after their plane arrives in Washington for Veterans Day

Indigenous activists storm COP30 climate summit in Brazil, demanding action

Indigenous activists storm COP30 climate summit in Brazil, demanding action

Sudanese army to advance westward to eliminate paramilitary RSF from Darfur, governor says

Sudanese army to advance westward to eliminate paramilitary RSF from Darfur, governor says

Starmer will fight attempts to replace him, allies say

Starmer will fight attempts to replace him, allies say

Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal, Says Jail Was ‘Draining’

Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal, Says Jail Was ‘Draining’

World’s Largest Aircraft Lessor Praises Air Peace For Restoring Global Confidence In Nigerian Aviation

World’s Largest Aircraft Lessor Praises Air Peace For Restoring Global Confidence In Nigerian Aviation

 South Korea joins Japan, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Croatia, and more in the struggle to manage overtourism amid unprecedented growth in visitor numbers

South Korea joins Japan, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Croatia, and more in the struggle to manage overtourism amid unprecedented growth in visitor numbers

Collins 'didn't understand' Ronaldo celebration

Collins 'didn't understand' Ronaldo celebration

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 10:32 AM
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow us on

GOCOP Accredited Member

GOCOP Accredited member
logo

NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Contact

Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
+234(0)8098020976, 07013416146, 08066020976
info@newsexpressngr.com

Find us on

Facebook
Twitter

Copyright NewsExpress Nigeria 2025