Last week’s theft from a private jet at CJIA was a major security breach that will lead to closer scrutiny by aviation bodies and blame trading has already begun as tighter measures should have been in place since June this year.
Correspondence among the relevant personnel which was seen by Stabroek News reveals that security revamping for parked planes at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri was among measures listed to be implemented since June of this year after revelations of at least two prior thefts.
Following recommendations from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) after its audit of the airport, the Director of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Andre Kellman had sent a memo to all ground handlers in June of this year “as a reminder” of their responsibility for providing security for aircraft they are processing.
“It is useful to note, these aircraft are usually transporting, in many instances, very important passengers and we would not want to be labelled as negligent in our responsibility, should something go amiss with the aircraft,” one of the memos seen by Stabroek News stated.
However, the ground handler in this case – Roraima Airways – has distanced itself from any responsibility saying that while additional security for private aircraft is a service it offers, international aviation standards require the airport to provide ample security and lighting for all aircraft.
“Handling companies don’t provide security. Security for aircraft that are in an international airport is provided by the airport. Airlines and aircraft can opt to have additional security, which is a service that we offer. However, if they don’t take that optional additional security, the primary source for security for the aircraft is the airport,” he said.
Asked if additional security was offered as an option to the owners of the private jet, Gouveia Jr. said he would not answer that question but repeated his position that the obligation and legal requirements stipulate that international airports provide ample security for all aircraft on its premises.
“Handling services do not provide security and that is something that is provided by the airport,” he stressed.
Stabroek News yesterday reached out to Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and asked about the issue and he said that he will be meeting with various stakeholders in the next 48 hours.
He also said that the issue of security was addressed in June and admitted that there was a breach before.
Asked if in the wake of the incident there will be beefed up measures at the CJIA, Edghill said that there should have been measures already being implemented.
“We didn’t have to wait for the theft from this jet to beef up security. This matter was addressed since June and had all the stakeholders involved done all what was supposed to be done we would not have that situation,” Edghill contended.
Serious
“We are treating this matter as serious as it should be treated and the lessons learned from it to ensure a lesson like this never happens again,” he added.
While he would not go into detail, Edghill said that “we have had an incident like this before”.
Last Wednesday afternoon, a private McDonnell Douglas MD-87 bearing registration Number N111RE landed at the CJIA with a delegation of business persons.
It is unclear why the business delegation was here but the plane is registered to Tampa, Florida real estate investor Ramy Youssef El-Batrawi.
When the pilot and the delegation returned on Friday to depart they noticed that the door lock seal for the passenger’s door and the baggage compartment had been broken, and on examination of the aircraft that a number of items were missing. These included over 15 bottles of wine and other high end alcohol, clothing, a step ladder and small electronic items.
The police have since arrested three suspects, one of whom confessed to committing the crime.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Monday confirmed that the suspect who has been identified as Albert Rajram also known as ‘Bunny’ of Circuit Road, Timehri had been arrested. He was questioned during which he confessed to the crime, Blanhum said. Some of the stolen items were also recovered.
According to information reaching Stabroek News, Rajram told the police that he dug a hole under the perimeter fence of CJIA and made his way onto the airport tarmac.
Lighting around the airport’s perimeter and strengthening of the chain-link fence which is not supported by any reinforcements at the bottom had also been put on the radar.
Once he had penetrated the perimeter fence, Rajram then reportedly broke into the aircraft and stole the items. Two other suspects are also in police custody as the investigation continues.
Civil aviation authority sources told this newspaper that while to locals it may seem as petty theft, the reputation of this country’s aviation sector has been brought into disrepute.
“The public may look at the items stolen and see it as small but the security breach is what really is serious. We will have IATA (International Air Transport Association), the US’ FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), Homeland Security and all other security agencies from other countries coming down on Guyana. This makes this country look like a joke,” a source said.
“Questions will be raised to GCAA, I am sure, about the potential risks for terrorism, drug planting… and all these things,” another source added.
