Accident could put Airbus out for a month

The BWIA Airbus-340, which was damaged Wednesday night on the tarmac at Piarco, could be out of service for at least a month. This latest accident, the second such to a BWIA aircraft in less than a month, will cause BWIA to wetlease an aircraft for its London services this weekend. The accident has been reported to manufacturer Airbus Industrie in France, and a team of officials is expected in Trinidad by weekend to inspect the damage. The accident occurred shortly before the aircraft was due to leave for London. It was immediately withdrawn from service and the passengers accommodated on the company’s other Airbus. Nelson Tom Yew, the airline’s chief executive officer, said initial assessment of the damage by BWIA engineers “put it at more than the US$1.2 million ascribed to the damage to the Boeing 737 aircraft on June 11.” Tom Yew insisted however, that “until the Airbus team completes its examination, a more exact figure cannot be given.”

Tom Yew told Newsday that this accident “could have a negative impact on the company’s financial, but  no definitive statement can be made at this time.” The CEO said that wetleasing arrangements will depend to a large extent on the report of the Airbus team. Meanwhile, Minister of Works Franklyn Khan,  has expressed serious concerns about the third crash at the airport involving a contractor’s ramp vehicle, and called an immediate meeting yesterday of the Civil Aviation Authority of TT (CAATT) and the Airports Authority Board to find a solution to the problem. However, employees of ServisAir which provides ground handling services for most of the airlines operating at the Piarco International Airport, believe it was “sabotage.”

“I am upset about the service being provided by ServisAir Limited and I am extremely concerned about  insufficient supervision by BWIA and the quality of staff they are hiring,” an angry Minister told Newsday. “I am also not satisfied with these three incidents that happened in such a short time. “Because of this, I have ordered an immediate meeting with Linus Rogers Chairman of the Airports Authority and Nelson Tom Yew, chief executive officer of BWIA to come up with a plan to prevent these incidents from recurring.” On June 20, a conveyor truck owned by ServisAir slammed into a Continental Airlines aircraft while it was parked on the tarmac preparing for take off to New Jersey. On June 11, a BWIA B-737 aircraft was damaged when a water truck, also belonging to ServisAir, rammed the fuselage near the tail. Aviation and Communications Allied Workers Union sources told Newsday there were similar accidents earlier in the year, all caused by ServisAir vehicles, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

“This situation is not acceptable and the AATT has the authority, if it is not satisfied, to pull any vehicle out of service.” The minister was however adamant that the incidents have not affected TT in the international climate. “This does not come across as an airport security or safety problem and is not a fundamental breach of any aviation code.” A release from the airline stated that after a meeting with the CAATT, the BWIA executive met with ServisAir officials and have codified a number of measures which have been put into immediate effect. It also stated BWIA will adopt more stringent oversight and direct supervision of all activities, paying particular attention to mechanical and ground handling operations in the immediate vicinity of all BWIA aircraft at Piarco and Crown Point Airports.

Corporate communications manager at CAATT, Ellen Adamson, while refusing to say much, said they had taken the standard procedure of suspending the passes of the drivers of the vehicles and pulling the affected vehicles out of commission, while directing any more questions to the CAATT. Director general of CAATT Ramesh Lutchmedial, indicated that while they had met with ServisAir and the other related parties, they would be working with the operators and contractors on ramp and all-round safety. He also indicated that an investigation was going on and he could not say much more. Investigations by the Piarco police into the June 11 crash are still ongoing.