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The US Embassy in Haiti has confirmed the temporary shutdown of a major airport in Port-au-Prince after a commercial aircraft was hit by gunfire.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Earlier today a Spirit Airlines flight enroute to Haiti from Florida was hit by gunfire while landing at Toussaint L’Ouverture Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight was subsequently diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. An inspection of the aircraft revealed damage consistent with gunfire.

One flight attendant sustained minor injuries and received medical attetion, though no passengers reported injuries. In response, the airline has temporarily suspended its operations in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien pending further safety assessments.

What’s going on now: The US Embassy announced that Haitian authorities informed them of a temporary closure of Toussaint L’Ouverture Airport due to escalating gang violence targeting travel routes to and from the Haitian capital. The embassy cited an “unpredictable and dangerous” security environment, warning that travel within Haiti is risky and that it cannot guarantee the safety of individuals attempting to reach airports or borders.

This all comes as security forces in Haiti continue to struggle against the growing power of heavily armed gangs that have seized control of significant areas in and around Port-au-Prince. These gangs have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure, including transportation routes, in an effort to assert dominance and instill fear among both locals and foreigners. Violent clashes between gang members and police have become common, often leading to chaotic and unsafe conditions that disrupt daily life and essential services.