Update: FAA Prohibits U.S. Airlines from Flying Over Haiti

DALLAS — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an order prohibiting any U.S. flights from flying less than 10,000 feet above Haiti for a period of 30 days in response to the gunfire incidents that occurred on Monday.

The KICZ A0015/24 International Security NOTAM prohibits "AGAINST CERTAIN FLIGHTS IN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF HAITI. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) BELOW ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING AT ALTITUDES FROM SURFACE UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 10,000 FEET MSL IN THE TERRITORY AND AIRSPACE OF HAITI DUE TO SAFETY-OF-FLIGHT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ONGOING SECURITY INSTABILITY.

A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT ISA FOREIGN AIR CARRIER."

The action comes after a Spirit Airlines (NK) flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Florida, to Haiti was forced to make an emergency landing in Santiago, Dominican Republic, due to being struck by gunfire while attempting to descend into Port-au-Prince. While no major injuries were reported, a flight attendant onboard experienced minor injuries and is currently undergoing medical evaluation.

According to a November 11 statement, the FAA confirmed that "Spirit Airlines Flight 951 landed safely at Cibao International Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, after the plane was reportedly damaged by gunfire while trying to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The flight originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."

The FAA statement added, "Two other flights bound for Toussaint Louverture International Airport were diverted as a precaution. The airport is now closed. Contact local authorities for more on the investigation and the airline for information about those on board."

The Haitian National Office of Civil Aviation (ONCAF) reported that the NK aircraft was subjected to four separate instances of gunfire while attempting to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), the capital city’s main airport. The flight had come within 550 feet of the runway before being compelled to abort its landing and make the emergency diversion to the Dominican Republic.

To make matters worse, on Monday November 11, a JetBlue (B6) flight from Haiti to New York City was also struck by a bullet, as reported by the airline in a statement to ABC News. In response to the ongoing civil unrest in Haiti, B6 has suspended all flights to and from the country through December 2.

In addition, that same Monday, American Airlines (AA) flight 819 from PAP to Miami International Airport (MIA) landed safely and uneventfully in Miami. However, "out of an abundance of caution, a post-flight inspection was completed, indicating the exterior of the aircraft had been impacted by a bullet. We are working closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident."

American Airlines has suspended daily service between MIA and PAP through February 12, 2025. "We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed."