Outraged passengers on a delayed Bahamasair evening flight - including an eight-month pregnant woman - say they were forced to enter the Lynden Pindling airport on all fours.

Two of the passengers spoke to The Tribune yesterday, explaining that after disembarking, they had to enter the terminal through the luggage conveyor belt opening, as all other entrances to the airport were locked.

The packed flight arrived at the airport at around 9pm on Saturday, September 23, after already being delayed for over an hour-and-a-half in Marsh Harbour - only to find that the main entrance to the airport was locked.

Although there were security guards standing inside the doors, they said they did not have permission to open them as they were still awaiting confirmation from the airport authority, the two passengers said.

After standing outside in the rain for about 10 minutes, waiting for assistance and checking for other entrances, passengers eventually resorted to crawling through the entrance usually reserved only for luggage to gain access to the airport.

"From what I understood. afterwards, whoever was responsible for security had locked the door and left their post, so there was no one to let us in," said one passenger.

"People were wandering around outside, it was drizzling too, there were older people, pregnant women, and we were trying to get out through the other exit but we couldn't get out that way."

Inside the airport, passengers were reportedly greeted by apologetic Bahamasair representatives who said that they had been calling Civil Aviation authorities while the delayed flight was in the air, to ensure the passengers would have access to the airport upon arrival.

"Bahamasair apologised profusely, they said it wasn't their fault, it was Civil Aviation's fault," explained one of the passengers.

According to sources, the Bahamasair representative said she had been "laughed at" and hung up on by Civil Aviation personnel.

Yesterday, Ivan Cleare, deputy director at Civil Aviation denied that this responsibility would have been within the remit of his department, suggesting instead that the Airport Authority is responsible.

No one at the Airport Authority was available for comment yesterday.

By ALISON LOWE, The Tribune

Sounds like the Airport authority's responsibility ..
sucks either way ...

One time i came back at night, there were no customs officers ..
that was pretty funny!

I read this today in the papers and i know exactly how them people feel. This happen to me on a delayed flight from Exuma. We waited about 10-15 mins before someone came to open the door. They really need to do better.

They really need to do better.


They need to sign over the thrice damned airport already! :hot:

Oh Lawd,another reason we look da fool.

Why did BA let the passengers off the plane? I thought that someone always had to be at the gate upon arrival & departure.Something dn't sound right about this story. :dgi:

Please they are always messed up. One time I was going home on Bahamasair (only because I wasnt paying for the ticket!). We were already dead late. After several minutes of having a full load of people sitting on the tarmac with engienes on full blas they decide to leave....but one problem... they forgot to remove the barrier (thingy) from the front landing gear! All we felt was that the plane started accelerting and then everyone went forward. The flight attendant...if she didnt hold on to something would have gone right into that cockpit door in the middle of her safety presentation!

Why did BA let the passengers off the plane? I thought that someone always had to be at the gate upon arrival & departure.Something dn't sound right about this story. :dgi:

You are very right. I find that a little disturbing; in normal circumstances (and to play by the rules), ground personnel would hook the aircraft up to a GPU (ground power unit) for a/c, lights, other functions and the pax would remain on the aircraft until a gate agent is able to lead them to the right door, etc (also to make sure they don't wander around the tarmac and perhaps into another plane's spinning propellor).

You are very right. I find that a little disturbing; in normal circumstances (and to play by the rules), ground personnel would hook the aircraft up to a GPU (ground power unit) for a/c, lights, other functions and the pax would remain on the aircraft until a gate agent is able to lead them to the right door, etc (also to make sure they don't wander around the tarmac and perhaps into another plane's spinning propellor).



I don't remember that ever happening! I mean someone points to the aircraft that you are supposed to go on. Western Air employees walk you to you plane. but when you land you better try follow the other passenger to see where they are going. Now THAT is a huge security issue. And Freeport was the one the US cited for security concerns.....

Sounds like the Airport authority's responsibility ..
sucks either way ...
One time i came back at night, there were no customs officers ..
that was pretty funny!


And I guess you travel at night all the time now aye Rory?
:driving: :p

And I guess you travel at night all the time now aye Rory?
:driving: :p


no i dont travel much anymore, it was just this "one" time ... :shhh:

Eight months pregnant woman on board.!!
If she has a problem Bahamians would have to bear the cost.