CARIBBEAN AIRLINES FLIGHT #523 STATEMENT 2 ISSUED 30 JULY 2011 08.00HOURS
Port-of-Spain, 30 July 2011, – At 1.32am on Saturday 30 July, 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 the Airport and all passengers and crew have been evacuated. There were 157-Passengers and 6-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 local medical services available in Guyana
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has closed the Cheddi Jagan Aerodrome until 10.00hrs while an investigation is being conducted. The perimeter around the 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. A management team consisting of:-Head of Corporate Communications, Vice President Operations, Executive Manager Flight Operations/Chief Pilot, Vice President Maintenance & Engineering, Executive Manager In-flight Services and Executive Manager Quality and Air Safety has departed for Guyana. Our Acting CEO in line with procedures is at our EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTRE co-ordinating operations and is in constant communications with the authorities in Guyana. Our primary concern will be to attend to those that were on board.
All enquiries should be directed to:-
Trinidad & Tobago:
United States: 1 800 786 3891
Canada: 1 800 380 6057
Caribbean: 1 800 744 6453
The latest statements can also be accessed online at www.caribbean-airlines.com.
Caribbean Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available.
