Spirit Flight Diverted After Haiti Shooting

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Post on Nov 12, 2024

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Spirit Flight Diverted After Shooting at Port-au-Prince Airport

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was diverted to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday after a shooting incident at the Haitian capital's airport.

According to reports, the shooting took place near the airport's terminal, with passengers on the Spirit flight hearing gunshots shortly after landing. The incident, which reportedly involved armed men attempting to rob passengers, caused widespread panic on the flight.

"We were just getting off the plane when we heard the shots," said a passenger who wished to remain anonymous. "People started screaming and running, and it was absolute chaos."

A statement released by Spirit Airlines confirmed the diversion, citing "operational reasons" for the change in route.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority," the statement read. "We are working to ensure the safe return of all passengers to Port-au-Prince as soon as possible."

The Haitian authorities have not yet released a statement regarding the shooting, but reports suggest that no injuries were reported among the passengers on the Spirit flight.

The incident marks another instance of violence in Port-au-Prince, which has been plagued by ongoing gang violence and instability for months. The airport itself has been targeted by criminals in the past, further adding to the security concerns for passengers and staff.

The diversion of the Spirit flight highlights the precarious security situation in Haiti, and raises questions about the safety of air travel to the country. As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, airlines are faced with the difficult decision of whether to continue service to the country, balancing the need to operate safely with the desire to provide travel options for passengers.

This incident is likely to further discourage travel to Haiti, potentially impacting tourism and economic activity in the already struggling nation.