Stuart defends detention of Caribbean Airline aircraft

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart says his Barbados government will not compromise civil aviation security, making it clear that no aircraft will be exempt from ramp inspections.

Stuart's comments came on the heels of recent complaints by his Jamaican counterpart Bruce Golding that a Caribbean Airlines aircraft bound for Kingston had been detained at the Grantley Adams International Airport recently.

Golding said he was disturbed by the 'hold up' at a time when pressure is being brought against Jamaica to allow the Barbados-based Caribbean low-budget airline, REDjet, to fly into the island.

"What I am told took place two days ago when a Caribbean Airlines plane was held up; (I) don't want to use the word detained, and the suspicion is that it is an aggressive action and I hope it is not, because that is not the way we in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) must resolve CARICOM issues," Golding said

But, speaking in Parliament Tuesday during the debate to amend the Civil Aviation Act, Prime Minister Stuart made it clear that "it was a routine check".

He insisted that ramp inspections were routine and form part of the safety regime which his government fully supports.

"These are procedures that have to be followed and, ultimately, Barbados has to make sure it complies with the obligations to which it is signed under international conventions, and in accordance with the laws that govern civil aviation here in Barbados, and the conventions that govern civil aviation regionally," he said.

Stuart said that he expects aircraft inspectors to be given the fullest cooperation.

"If they have to detain an aircraft because they are not satisfied that the safety requirements are being complied with they will have the fullest support of the government of Barbados," he said.

Legislators approved the amendment to the Civil Aviation Act, which, among other things, strengthens the powers of the Director of Civil Aviation Authority to detain aircraft and crew deemed unsafe to fly.

It will also give rise to agreement establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System approved by regional leaders at their July summit back in 2008.

- CMC