Passengers on a New York-bound Eastern Airlines flight over the weekend suffered a 14-hour delay due to one of the airline’s aircraft developing mechanical issues and the expiration of the maximum amount of hours for the flight crew.
Stabroek News understands that over 100 passengers were scheduled to fly on Saturday morning but after the aircraft developed mechanical issues with its engine it was grounded.
A representative of the airline who asked not to be named related that after the aircraft was grounded, a second plane arrived the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to transport the stranded passengers. After the first set of passengers was transported on Saturday afternoon, it returned yesterday morning.
However, while in preparation for takeoff, the representative explained that a check light was observed. The issue was resolved within half an hour, but the representative noted that by that time the flight crew’s maximum amount working hours would have expired.
“Aviation laws don’t allow for flight crews to work beyond certain hours, so by time we resolved the issue the time expired and they had to rest. This resulted in the further delays,” she explained.
She noted that passengers who opted to fly, departed last evening after the flight was initially scheduled to depart at 4.30 yesterday morning.
The airline representative explained that some passengers were provided with transportation to return home and were given hotel accommodation. Others opted to have their flight rescheduled.
