Caribbean Airlines, Cheddi Jagan Airport on red alert following threat to airline

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Sunday night announced that they are on a red security alert in the wake of a threat received by the carrier.

“The Ministry and CJIA have since adopted the highest security posture to protect passengers, crew, aircraft and airport employees and to ensure the continued smooth and safe operations at the airport,” the CJIA said in a statement. No details about the exact nature of the threat or what the heightened security measures would be.

The United States (US) has since advised Americans not to travel from Monday to Wednesday on CAL and urged that they make alternative arrangements.

Following a security meeting with relevant security agencies and stakeholders of the airport, the CJIA called on passengers and other airport users to be on the “lookout for any suspicious activities or occurrences and report same to an airport security official.”

The airport said a heightened security posture will remain in place over a number of days until such time as the threat is no longer deemed valid.

For its part, Caribbean Airlines said its flights would continue as scheduled but at the same time thanked the travelling public for their understanding of any inconvenience as special security measures have been put in place.
“The Airline wishes to assure passengers and the travelling public that specific layers of security have been added at our Guyana Airport Operations and we are working closely with all authorities to ensure appropriate security protocols are followed to ensure, safe, comfortable and on-time flight departures,” said CAL in a statement.

The US embassy in Guyana earlier Sunday said it has received unconfirmed threat information relating to Caribbean Airlines flights destined for the United States departing on Monday, February 10, 2014.

The diplomatic mission said that out of an abundance of caution, it advises all U.S. Citizens in Guyana traveling on Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to the United States from Monday, February 10 through Wednesday, February 12, 2014, to make alternate travel arrangements.

The embassy “strongly” recommended that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Guyana enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Guyana. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

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The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown is located at 100 Duke & Young Streets, Kingston, Georgetown. During regular business hours you may call (592) 225-4900/9 Ext. 4222. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is (592) 623-1992.