Heightened security presence to be maintained at CJIA in light of threat - Minister Benn

11th February, 2014

KINGSTON - Government is pushing for the pursuit of investigations into the terror threat made to Caribbean Airlines, Guyana Flight 484, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn told the National Assembly yesterday.

On February 7, the CAL office in Barbados received, via telephone, a threat to its 784 flight that was scheduled to travel today (February 10) out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). “We have asked through the security operatives for contacts to pursue an investigation, to be pursued in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and if possible too in the United States of America with respect to putting at rest to determine who made the threat and its specific nature,” Minister Benn said.

The threat seemly emanated from a person with a Trinidadian accent, who rang off immediately when pressed for more information and this caused the airport to be put on high alert, Minister Benn said.

He explained that immediately following the threat that the security system and operatives and officials in CAL system and also in Guyana were alerted, and the highest level of the government. The matter was discussed at the level of Government at a meeting on February 8, but immediately on the day of the threat at 14:00hrs at a high level security meeting, the matter was assessed and measures put in place.

The heightened security posterior at CJIA, included a 100 percent screening of passengers and areas to ensure there was no sabotage with respect to that and any other flights, the Minister said. The result of the effort was that the flight departed without incident, but with some delay, due to extra screening from the airport. The flight, which also suffered a 13 percent reduction in passenger, landed successfully at Miami International Airport.

The heightened security will remain in place for the upcoming days, Minister Benn said.