PASSENGERS travelling to Guyana from the United States and Trinidad on Caribbean Airlines, Flight BW 527, were shocked upon arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday last when they were unable to receive their luggage, but were subsequently told it will be delivered to them. 

The flight which departed John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York at 2:00am Monday had already been delayed some two hours. This had been communicated through a flight attendant who had advised the passengers of the delay.
According to one passenger, the flight which was scheduled to arrive at the CJIA at 6:55am Monday came in some one hour, forty minutes later due to the delay at JFK Airport.
Following the arrival, the pilot of the aircraft which had been described as “too large for the runway” told passengers that the crew were experiencing “technical difficulties,” but gave no details.
Another mishap soon followed after passengers could not exit the plane due to the “technical difficulties” which had been described by the pilot earlier. As a result, the passengers were forced to await a recharge of some kind which allowed access to one of the doors for them to exit the aircraft.
The source who wished to remain anonymous explained that after clearing customs, an on-duty staff member disclosed that technical difficulties were preventing them from gaining access to the plane and they needed to access the “belly” of the aircraft.
Not long after, another staffer approached the passengers and informed them that the aircraft had to travel back to Trinidad where it would be grounded before returning to Guyana to allow access to the stored luggage.
At this point frustration gripped the many Guyanese returning home from their vacation and some visitors who had to attend a funeral as they were told that their luggage would be delivered to their addresses. Forms were then distributed for the passengers to fill out, followed by the aircraft’s departure.
As many waited helplessly, some voiced their anger while others departed in distress.
However, reports reaching this publication yesterday confirmed that the luggage were delivered to the passengers but the direct cause for the delay and inconvenience were not disclosed.

(By Ravin Singh)