Caribbean Airlines flight denied landing in Florida, passengers stranded

(Jamaica Gleaner) Several Caribbean Airlines passengers were Thursday night left stranded at the Norman Manley Inter-national Airport in Kings-ton after the flight, destined to Fort Lauderdale, was denied landing by United States Border Control, while mid air.

Clive Forbes, the Caribbean Airlines General Manager for Jamaican operations, explained that this was because of a Customs and Border Control curfew.

“Fort Lauderdale airport has a cut-off time. It was very close to the cut-off time so therefore, the aircraft had to return. Customs at the airport cease operation at a certain time … it’s standard,” he said.

“We tried to make time in the air,” he added, but apparently that was not enough.

Flight BW033, with over 150 passengers, departed Kingston at 8:45 Thursday night, two hours behind schedule, said an irate passenger, Nicola Jackson.