CJIA passengers to bypass screening process while transiting T&T

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

The tedious process of disembarking at Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Piarco International Airport, passing through security before boarding an aircraft to the United States will be something of the past – effective November 1, 2013, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport said Sunday.

The United States of America Transport Security Administration (TSA) has approved the request for the alternate procedure to be applied for GEO passengers transiting in Port of Spain (POS).

Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Transport, is pleased with the decision.

“It means that passengers leaving Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and passing through POS can do so hassle free. The existing process prompted numerous complaints and we had to urgently address the situation with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) officials,” he said.

In August, Minister Benn and Housing and Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali met with CAL Senior Executives including its Chairman, Phillip Marshall and Chief Executive Officer, Jagmohan Singh to address several concerns with the airline including the treatment of GEO passengers transiting POS.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) held a follow-up meeting in Trinidad, and high on the agenda was the re-screening process.

“…so it was decided that CJIA and CAL will jointly approach TSA to review the application for an alternative procedure. Now this has borne fruit, passengers do not have to deplane,” Ghir added.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Lutchmedial, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, T&T Civil Aviation Authority told Minister Benn that he is happy “we have been finally able to resolve this.”