by Linda Straker
- British Airways flight on Wednesday 14 October cancelled due to airport downgrade
- On Tuesday morning, passengers received a message from airline explaining cancellation
- New shipment of firefighting aggregates scheduled to arrive by 22 October
The management of Grenada’s only international airport has voluntarily downgraded the facility, due to the late arrival of supplies for the fire service to effectively combat a fire emergency of large aircraft as required by regulations.
Tourism Minister Clarice Modeste said that the aircraft specifically affected from landing at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) is the British Airways carrier which was scheduled to make its return flight on 14 October since Grenada’s lockdown in March to commercial traffic as part of measures to control the spread of Covid-19. “British Airways was all booked to come, had a pretty good load, and then, based on the size of the plane you have to have certain materials so that if there is a fire you have to have enough foam to put out the fire and dry chemical which they call aggregates,” she said. “The airport had some of that in storage and when they tested it recently, they realised it was not satisfactory. While in storage it had deteriorated to some extent and could not be used, so they had to inform British Airways.”
“There has been a downgrading, but the downgrading is the airport’s; [they] did it themselves recognising that they did not have all of the substance in which [to put] out [an] unforeseen fire or so.” She explained the that new shipment is scheduled to arrive by 22 October 2020. “They thought it best to postpone the flight.” The Tourism Minister is encouraging persons who were scheduled to travel on the flight to explore the possibility of connecting in St Lucia or using a flight out of Barbados, for London.
On Tuesday morning, passengers booked to travel on both the incoming and outgoing flights received a message from the airline explaining the reason for the cancellation. “We wanted to keep you updated on the status of your flight from Grenada to London Gatwick,” said the message sent to a passenger who was scheduled to depart for London. “Due to operational circumstances outside of our control, your flight to London has been cancelled. The airport authority in Grenada has temporarily downgraded the fire and rescue coverage at the airport. This means we are unable to send any of our larger, long haul aircraft to Grenada, as the airport teams would not be able to respond in case of emergency,” said the message. “The aircraft will continue to operate as planned to depart from St Lucia. You can continue to travel from St Lucia to London Gatwick, although any travel from Grenada to St Lucia will be at your own cost. Alternatively, we can offer you a flight from Barbados to London Gatwick, although travel from Grenada to Barbados will be at your own cost,” the airline recommended.
Modeste said that the material was paid for about 2 months ago, and once it arrives the airport will be able to accommodate any BA flights. An official at the airport admits that the materials were delayed in delivery from the supplier because of closed borders at other locations which slowed the free flow of cargo traffic.
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This is not right. There are many elderly Grenadian who were waiting for a direct flight to return home. Some have given up their accommodation in london. Cancelling their flight at such short notice means they have no where to live in this cold weather. Both BA and the Grenadian Goverment needs to do alot better. This is beyond shameful
This has caused great stress for passengers leaving the UK. PCR tests have to be carried out again as the first would have expired. Some people have paid £175-225 for their first test and no one will take responsiility to compensate them.
Having paid for a direct flight to Grenada passengers should never be asked to travel from St Lucia at their own cost.
Regular testing should be in place. These materials should have been replaced before the ports opened. Why are other airlines allowed to land without these important materials?
This is a huge embarrassment for Grenada and inconvenience for pasengers. Grenada please think outside the box and plan strategically.
Perhaps the airport itself should be (re) closed in the interest of COVID-19 free public safety.
#Anansishutup#
I am so shocked to learn that passengers have only been provided 24hours notice. Travelling during Covid is a lengthy process. Each passenger travelling from London to Grenada MUST complete PCR test at least 72hrs prior to departure. They must also pre-booked recommended accommodation for at least 4 days. Now on top of that, they have been informed if they wish to travel to via BGI or UVF they must now obtain a separate ticket on their own expense? Why advise passengers to connect via UVF (St Lucia) when infact there’s no connection on 14th Oct??? Next connection is not until the next day but passengers must change airports.. again extra accommodation in St Lucia plus transfers on their own expense!! Alternatively, passengers are advise to go via BGI but there are no seats on the connecting flights. Again, more expense for overnight accommodation. Please please if you are going to suggest an alternative option for passengers please do the ground work. I wish all the passengers a safe journey as and when they can travel. There must be alternative option where BA & the government of Grenada can come up with an alternative option for all these stranded passengers even at a very discounted cost. BA codeshsare with AA, AA operates Boeing 737s into Grenada. Why can’t they arrange an AA aircraft from BGI to GND, maybe not for 14th but possible within the next 72hrs where the PCR test is still valid? Should there be an incident there’s enough supplies to extinguish a fire for this particular equipment (737) but instead passengers are now stranded for 11 days. Hope the government is thinking correctly! Passengers PCR test would no longer be valid, which means they have to pay again, minimum £139.00 to obtain another test. Maybe the Ministry of Tourism need to step in, remember there are tourist on the next 3 BA flights who were hoping to visiting Grenada. Now, think about it, they may just decide to reroute to another Island, it maybe Barbados, St Lucia or Antigua (boosting their tourism) and what happens to little ???
This failure is cause for termination of the MBIA Manager. Knowing travel would be eventually happening should have prepared a proper facility and equipment months ago. This is a significant embarrassment to Grenada.
You seem to know a lot what’s your qualifications on this subject matter?
What a shame. The airport autority MBIA had more than 6 month to bring this fire regulation in order. That is not the best way to get tourist in Grenada and the sister island,,, I hope that the Minister of Grenadian Tourism and the Minister of transportation will look that this no more happen…..