Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – At 1:32am on Saturday, July 30, a Caribbean Airlines aircraft (Boeing 737-800), operating as flight # BW523, en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana was involved in an incident upon landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana.
Caribbean Airlines immediately activated its emergency response programme and is in direct contact with the relevant authorities. The airline’s primary concern at this time is for those on board the aircraft and their families.
Emergency response teams at CJIA were activated at Airport and all passengers and crew have been evacuated. There were 157 passengers and six crew on-board. Up to press time, this is the update that we have:
· There have been no fatalities.
· Passengers are still receiving medical attention and we are working closely with the medical services in Guyana
(See video: http://www.sflcn.com/multimedia.php?id=c66vcErXbmw )
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has closed the Cheddi Jagan Aerodrome until 10.00hrs while an investigation is being conducted. Perimeter around aircraft has been secured and is being guarded by the Guyana Defence Force and Police Officials.
The Emergency response committee at CJIA has approved the re-opening of the airport from 10.00hrs.
We would like to reiterate that Caribbean Airlines Teams have been positioned to deal with the affected passengers, and a management team including Head of Corporate Communications, Vice President Operations, Executive Manager Flight Operations/Chief Pilot, Vice president Maintenance & Engineering, Executive Manager Inflight Services and Executive Manager Quality, have departed for Guyana. Our Acting CEO in line with procedures is at our EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTRE co-coordinating operations and is in constant communications with the authorities in Guyana.
Customer enquiries may be directed to the following numbers:
US – 1 800 786 3891
CANADA – 1 800 380 6057
CARIBBEAN – 1 800 744 6453
