Airline suspends all flights after aircraft hit by bullet

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Ongoing political unrest and gang violence in Haiti, which intensified following the forced resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April 2024, has led to further disruptions in air travel. In a latest update, as shared by international media, a domestic airline Sunrise Airways, has suspended all flights after one of its aircraft was hit by a bullet while landing, on Sunday.

Since November 2024, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has barred American carriers from flying into the country, citing safety concerns. The restriction, initially put in place following multiple incidents of gunfire near aircraft at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), has now been extended through March 2026.

The FAA’s ban came after planes from Spirit, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines were hit by stray bullets while attempting to land at Port-au-Prince airport in November, during clashes between rival gangs vying for control of the facility. In addition to the outright ban, US authorities have prohibited flights over certain Haitian airspace at altitudes below 10,000 feet due to ongoing security threats.

With most major cruise lines also avoiding Haiti, travelers have increasingly relied on regional carriers to reach the Caribbean nation, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.

In a recent development, Haitian airline Sunrise Airways announced it is suspending all domestic flights after one of its aircraft was struck by gunfire while landing at the Guy Malary terminal of Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The plane had arrived from Les Cayes, a southwestern port city considered relatively stable and still frequented by tourists. The incident, which occurred on November 23, damaged the plane’s fuselage but did not injure passengers or crew.

Sunrise Airways has offered few details about the extent of the damage or the circumstances of the shooting but confirmed it will halt domestic operations until a full investigation is completed. “This decision was made in order to protect our passengers, crews, and operations, given the current security situation,” the airline said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant authorities and will resume operations as soon as conditions allow.”

Founded in 2010, Port-au-Prince-based Sunrise Airways operates a mix of domestic and international flights. The airline currently serves destinations including Cuba, Grenada, Guadeloupe, and the British Virgin Islands. With US airlines unable to operate in Haiti, Sunrise has also become a vital link for the Haitian diaspora, maintaining routes between Miami International Airport and Cap-Haïtien on the north coast. The airline has announced plans to expand service to New York and Fort Lauderdale once conditions improve.

The carrier said that passenger and employee safety remains its top priority and that it will not resume flights until authorities deem the environment secure.