The closure of the Sangster International Airport for several hours today, which resulted in a number of flights being diverted or cancelled and scores of travellers left stranded, has sparked calls for the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) to launch an investigation.
Opposition spokesperson on Transport and Works, Mikael Phillips, said the closure of the island’s main airport warrants an urgent investigation by the JCAA, especially since the Norman Manley International Airport was affected by a similar episode less than a month ago.
In a statement on the closure of the SIA, the Opposition spokesperson said as the regulator, the JCAA must act immediately to ensure efficiency at the airports and to preserve Jamaica’s international civil aviation status, which was not easily won.
He said the excuse provided by the SIA operators was particularly weak and simple and ought not to have caused such a major disruption in the country’s air services. Phillips said civil works approval should not be a reason for closing the airport as work is pre-planned.
“The result is chaos at both airports as flights have been diverted to NMIA. I am extremely disappointed experienced international Airport operators did not manage regular maintenance work in a more efficient manner,” he said.
Phillips called on Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz to see to it that the matter is investigated and to use his authority to bring back normality to the country’s aviation system and air travel.
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