American Airlines suspends flights to Haiti following attacks on airplanes

The American airline American Airlines announced on Tuesday the suspension of its flights between Miami (U.S.) and Port-au-Prince (Haiti) for the next three months, following an incident where one of its planes was hit by gunfire while en route from the Haitian capital to the city of Miami.

The company reported that the incident occurred during the flight that landed on Monday at Miami International Airport, and that, after an inspection, it was confirmed that the exterior of the airplane had been struck by a bullet. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

In its statement, the airline indicated that, as a precautionary measure, it will suspend its daily flights between both destinations until February 12.

This is the third American airline to decide to suspend its operations in Haiti following similar incidents.

On Monday, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue planes were also fired upon while in the airspace of Port-au-Prince. One of the Spirit flights was attacked as it approached Toussaint Louverture Airport, and a JetBlue aircraft was targeted during takeoff en route to New York.

The situation has raised concerns among U.S. authorities, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to prohibit commercial flights to Haiti for the next 30 days due to the increasing instability and security risks arising from the violence in the country.

Toussaint Louverture Airport, Haiti's main airport, was temporarily closed on Monday due to the escalation of clashes between armed gangs operating in the area.

This wave of violence has been exacerbated by the recent appointment of a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils Aimé, by the Presidential Transition Council, which has created even more tension in the country.

The airport had already been closed to commercial traffic from February to May of this year due to the violent acts of gangs, which have also severely impacted the civilian population and taken control of several institutions and correctional facilities in Haiti, a country facing a deep political, social, and economic crisis.