The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently made the decision to suspend US civilian flights to and from Haiti for a period of 30 days, following concerning incidents where aircraft attempting to land in Port-au-Prince came under gunfire. Pilotcenter.net News reported on November 12, 2024, that the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) emphasizing the safety risks associated with ongoing security instability in Haiti, hence prohibiting US air carriers and commercial operators from operating in the airspace up to 10,000 feet above the surface.

This precautionary measure is in place for all US air carriers and commercial operators, with the exception of those using US-registered aircraft for a foreign carrier. However, it's important to note that flights may still continue with FAA approval. The NOTAM also states that in case of an emergency compromising flight safety, pilots have the authority to deviate from the restriction as necessary.

The heightened security concerns leading to the FAA action stem from alarming incidents of gunfire targeting US carriers in the region. One such occurrence was the shooting at a Spirit Airlines aircraft, Flight 951, as it was landing at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince on November 11, 2024. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the passengers, but a flight attendant sustained minor injuries during the gang-related shooting that struck the Airbus A320-271N aircraft four times.

In response to the escalating violence and instability near the airport, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince released a statement on November 12, 2024, announcing the suspension of operations at PAP airport. The embassy also noted the potential for further violence in the area and declared plans to limit operations as a precautionary measure. With safety as a top priority, extra precautions and restrictions have been implemented to safeguard air travel to and from Haiti during this challenging period.