At 1.32am on Saturday 30 July, a Caribbean Airlines aircraft (Boeing 737-800), operating as flight # BW523, en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana was involved in an incident upon landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana.

Caribbean Airlines immediately activated its emergency response programme and is in direct contact with the relevant authorities. The airline’s primary concern at this time is for those on board the aircraft and their families.

Emergency response teams at CJIA were activated at Airport and all passengers and crew have been evacuated. There were 157 passengers and six crew on-board. Up to press time, this is the update that we have:

·       There have been no fatalities.

·       Passengers are still receiving medical attention and we are working closely with the medical services in Guyana

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has closed the Cheddi Jagan Aerodrome until 10.00hrs while an investigation is being conducted. Perimeter around aircraft has been secured and is being guarded by the Guyana Defence Force and Police Officials.

The Emergency response committee at CJIA has approved the re-opening of the airport from 10.00hrs.

We would like to reiterate that Caribbean Airlines Teams have been positioned to deal with the affected passengers, and a management team including Head of Corporate Communications, Vice President Operations, Executive Manager Flight Operations/Chief Pilot, Vice president Maintenance & Engineering, Executive Manager Inflight Services and Executive Manager Quality, have departed for Guyana. Our Acting CEO in line with procedures is at our EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTRE co-coordinating operations and is in constant communications with the authorities in Guyana.

Customer enquiries may be directed to the following numbers:

US – 1 800 786 3891

CANADA – 1 800 380 6057

CARIBBEAN – 1 800 744 6453

Caribbean Airlines BW523 en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana was involved in an incident at the Cheddi Jaggan International Airport at approximately 1:32am today 30 July, 2011.

There were 157 passengers and 6 crew members on board, all of whom were accounted for.

A Caribbean Airlines team consisting of technical support staff and executives was dispatched immediately to the accident site to assist passengers, and to work with the local authorities in the emergency response and investigations. The Caribbean Airlines executive team and technical support staff are at the scene to offer full support to the injured in Georgetown. A relatives/customer assistance hotline has been established at our emergency centre in Piarco, and counselling is being provided to passengers and family members.

A press conference was held earlier today in Georgetown just after midday. In attendance were Chairman- George M. Nicholas III, Head Corporate Communications- Mrs. Laura Asbjornsen, Vice President Operations – Captain Thomas Lawrence and Vice President Maintenance and Engineering – Mr Colville Carrington. It was confirmed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority will be spearheading the investigation and will be assisted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S. and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).

The team ensured that its CARE policy for affected passengers and crew was deployed in Georgetown. The airline has engaged the services of a company from the United States, together with regional personnel to implement in accordance with this policy.

Caribbean Airlines understands the public’s desire to gain information related to this event and is fully committed to providing details. We are guided by both Guyanese and U.S. authorities which limits our availability to communicate details of the event unless they are confirmed by the relevant authorities. We ask for your understanding as the airline must take strict precautions to ensure all the facts are accurate before they are released.