CAL mishap could adversely affect regional tourism
-brings safety issues into question
PASSENGERS using the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are being reassured that the airport authorities will continue to do all they can to guarantee safe flights in and out of Guyana. This declaration was made by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn during a press briefing at the airport in the wake of yesterday’s accident involving a Caribbean Airlines aircraft.
Benn confirmed that the Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737, flight 523 from Piarco to CJIA landed at 13:32hrs and overran the end of the runway with 154 passengers and six crew members on board.
At the time of the landing, the runway was wet as it was raining at the airport, he said, adding:
“35 passengers were treated at the Georgetown Hospital; out of that, four were admitted, with two of them sustaining broken limbs, but representatives from Caribbean Airlines are working with the passengers.” 
Minister Benn pointed out that it was fortunate that there were no casualties resulting from such a serious event, and lauded the quick response of the Airport Authorities and the medical personnel for their part in ensuring that the traumatized passengers were assisted.
Benn explained that an investigation has been launched by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to determine the cause of the accident, in collaboration with the Caribbean Aviation Safety Oversight System (CASSOS), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft.
“We are working with all the relevant agencies to have the facts of the incident gathered and ready and made available. This includes the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport and Safety Board from the United States,” he revealed.
Eight specialists from the United States are expected to arrive today, including two from the Boeing Company and two from Suriname.
In addition, representatives from Caribbean Airlines flew into Guyana shortly after the accident to discuss the incident and the way forward.  
As to the suspected cause of the accident, Minister Benn stressed that this can only be determined after a thorough investigation has been completed, and emphasized that all procedures were followed in response to the crash.
“The Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority will not speculate as to the cause, but we will deal with the facts as we know it, and from the investigation which will unfold in the coming months,” he stressed.
To aid in this process, the aircraft records are being collected and secured, including the recording from the cockpit and the flight data recorder.
He, however, pointed out that at the time of the incident, visibility was 8 kilometers, which, according to him, is a very good condition for landing the craft on the 7500ft runway.
In this regard, he gave the assurance that everything is being done to restore the aerodrome to the safe status that existed before the incident; this includes removing the tail of the aircraft so that full use of the runway will be restored.
“We have, in spite of all the faults, exemplary safety records at the two airports … The response from the Region and the fact that we have been in contact with the U.S points to the great concern we all have in response to this incident,” Benn said.
As testimony to this support, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar arrived in Guyana last night with several government Ministers to inspect the crash site and to meet with Minister Benn, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and other local officials.
This is Persad-Bissessar’s first visit to Guyana since becoming PM last year and she expressed regret that the visit could not have been under better circumstances.
Speaking with members of the press after a meeting with the officials, Bissessar explained that she was “stunned” to see the condition of the aircraft and surprised that no one was seriously hurt.
According to her, the accident will undoubtedly have an impact on the airline business, and the tourism industry, as it brings issues of safety into question.
“There is no doubt that there will be an impact, but we need to do as much damage control now… It is our duty to bring the support from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana,” she said.
Both the Prime Minister and CAL officials expressed hope that the insurers would cover the cost of the US$38M aircraft.
The CJIA resumed international flight operations on its primary runway from 11:30 hrs yesterday.