Montego Bay Airport Reopens After Hijacking Attempt

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, reported that Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, is open for business following a brief closure due to an incident involving a mentally challenged armed man who boarded CanJet flight 918 at approximately 10:30 p.m. CDT April 19. The flight was scheduled to travel from Montego Bay to Santa Clara, Cuba. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 which carries 189 passengers, was being operated for Transat Tours Canada. Bartlett said that security authorities in Jamaica were able to successfully negotiate the release of all 174 passengers and eight crew members without harm, bringing the matter to a peaceful end.

The flight's passengers and crew are being accommodated at two local area hotels awaiting their flight departure. CanJet is making an additional aircraft available to any passengers who want to return to Canada. MBJ Airports Jamaica Ltd. is advising that all systems for international flights are ready and in place for all arrivals and departures. CanJet has an information line available for anyone with questions about family or relatives who may have been on board CanJet flight 918. The airline said it had sent another CanJet aircraft to take passengers from Montego Bay to Santa Clara, Cuba, and then back to Halifax. For more information, call 888-777-6429 or visit www.canjet.com.

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