On April 15, 2025, a Spirit Airlines flight attendant was injured when the aircraft was struck by gunfire during its approach to Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight, originating from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted to Cibao International Airport in Santiago, Dominican Republic, where it landed safely.
Upon inspection, the Airbus A320neo was found to have multiple bullet holes in its fuselage and cabin interior. The flight attendant sustained minor injuries from debris and was evaluated by medical personnel. No passengers were harmed during the incident.
In response to the attack, Spirit Airlines suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien pending further evaluation. Other airlines, including JetBlue and American Airlines, also halted services to Haiti. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a 30-day ban on civil flights to the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince attributed the gunfire to gang-related violence aimed at disrupting travel to and from the capital. This incident follows a similar attack in October 2024, where a United Nations helicopter was struck by gunfire in the same region.
The aircraft involved has been removed from service, and Spirit Airlines arranged for a replacement plane to return passengers and crew to Fort Lauderdale. The airline emphasized that the safety of its guests and team members remains its top priority.