The Tribune

AN American Eagle plane skidded off the runway at Grand Bahama International Airport on Saturday, with two passengers taken to hospital.

After being closed since the incident, the airport is expected to open this morning.

According to reports from police, the aircraft, which had flown from Miami, experienced some mechanical difficulties on the runway after landing shortly before noon.

As a result, the plane skidded off the runway and came to a stop 15ft from the south side of it, damaging the rear landing gear.

All passengers were accounted for with two being taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital by EMS personnel for non-life threatening injuries.

In a statement released Sunday, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell criticised officials because the airport was closed more than 24 hours after the incident.

“It is simply unacceptable,” Mr Mitchell said. “So this means that those of us who have health, business or official matters to conduct in Nassau must cool our heels until the authorities manage to clear the runway.

“The officials are unable to say when services will resume.

“It just comes off again as insensitive to the needs of people and our economy. This city and island have suffered enough. Can someone please clear the runway and reopen the bloody airport in Grand Bahama?”

When contacted, Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said there is no political interference with the process adding there are industry professionals who manage accidents and guide politicians on the process.

“There is the Air Accident Investigation Authority, headed by Mr Delvin Major, who supervises all air accidents. No politician gets in the middle of an accident investigation. In addition, there is the director general of Civil Aviation, Mr Michael Allen and his team that are all very much involved in the accident investigation. So, if the PLP are complaining, then they are saying that these public officials are doing a lousy job. They could not be more wrong, but I will be sure to pass along the message!”

Mr D’Aguilar said inclement weather also added huge delays to this process.

“Mr Major informed me that the plane was going to be moved this afternoon (Sunday), and since the airport closes every evening anyway, I am advised it will be open in the morning.

“Please advise PLP that I have been in constant communication throughout the event with technical personnel who themselves are managing the event across agencies, including airport personnel, ANS professionals and the team coordinating on behalf of the international carrier.

“Safety and security are paramount. Indications are that the event has been and is being managed prudently, by technically competent persons in the interest of safety and security of both the local and international community,” the aviation minister said.