MONTREAL — Air Transat has announced flight cancellations to Port-au-Prince in the wake of heightened tensions in the Haitian capital, including the closure of the city’s airport.
“Due to the temporary closure of Toussaint-Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, until November 18, 2024, we are forced to cancel flights TS664 and TS665 on Wednesday, November 13, 2024,” said Air Transat in an update.
“Those affected will be contacted promptly to offer a full refund. We continue to closely monitor the evolution of the situation and remain in contact with the relevant authorities. We will keep you informed of any relevant updates as soon as possible.”
More information can be found at www.airtransat.com/en-CA/travel-information/flight-status-and-schedule.
SPIRIT AIRLINES PLANE TAKES GUNFIRE
Haiti’s international airport shut down yesterday after gangs opened fire at a commercial flight landing in Port-au-Prince, prompting some airlines to temporarily suspend operations as the country swore in a new interim prime minister who promised to restore peace.
The Spirit Airlines flight headed from Fort Lauderdale to Port-Au-Prince was just hundreds of feet from landing in Haiti’s capital when gangs shot at the plane striking a flight attendant, who suffered minor injuries, according to the airline, the U.S. Embassy and flight tracking data. The flight was diverted and landed in the D.R.
The shooting appeared to be part of what the U.S. Embassy called “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports.” Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines said Monday they were canceling flights to and from Haiti.
In other parts of Haiti’s capital, firefights between gangs and police broke out. Rounds of gunfire echoed through the streets as heavily armed officers ducked behind walls and civilians ran in terror. In other upper class areas, gangs set fire to homes. Schools closed as panic spread in a number of areas.
The turmoil comes a day after a council meant to reestablish democratic order in the Caribbean nation fired the interim prime minister Garry Conille, replacing him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The council has been marked by infighting and three members were recently accused of corruption.
As he was sworn in, Fils-Aimé said his top priorities were to restore peace to the crisis-stricken nation and hold elections, which haven’t been held in Haiti since 2016.
“There is a lot to be done to bring back hope,” he said before a room of suit-clad diplomats and security officials. “I’m deeply sorry for the people … that have been victimized, forced to leave everything they own.”
The country has seen weeks of political chaos, which observers warned could result in even more violence in a place where bloodshed has become the new normal. The country’s slate of gangs has long capitalized on political turmoil to make power grabs, shutting down airports, shipping ports and stirring chaos.
With file from The Associated Press
