By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribuneemdia.net

Southern Air executives yesterday confirmed one of its aircraft suffered “minor damage” due to a mishap that occurred when it was being moved for mechanical service.

Anthony Hamilton, the carrier’s director of administration, confirmed that the plane was involved in an incident on Saturday while being transferred from Odyssey Aviation to another hanger for repairs. He said it was not in service at the time and only had “minor damages” that will be repaired shortly.

“The aircraft was not in service. It was being transferred from one aspect of the airport to another, from Odyssey over to another hanger with regards to repairs. There was no extensive damage due to it, just minor damages that should be repaired soon,” said Mr Hamilton.

He added that the incident has already been reported to, and investigated by, the Civil Aviation Authority which is responsible for safety oversight and all other aviation matters. “The authorities are addressing it as we speak. The Civil Aviation Authority had the investigators come up and do an assessment of everything. They’ll have a correct analysis of the situation,” said Mr Hamilton.

He said Southern Air has another aircraft similar to the one being repaired that is still in operation, and there have been no adjustments to the flight schedule due to one plane being out of service. “As a matter of fact, the other aircraft is actually functioning and executing flights as we speak,” said Mr Hamilton.

Images of a small aircraft toppled over the perimeter fence at the airport, with its nose embedded in the grass, the middle section resting atop the fence and the tail section suspended in the air, circulated on social media over the weekend, leading some to speculate there was an accident.

Mr Hamilton said it is important that correct information be given to the public, as the industry is very competitive and safety is the “primary function” of all operators in the sector.

“It’s a very competitive industry, and the competitiveness of the industry is not only local competition, but it’s also world competition. We need to be more responsible and recognise that we have to protect the sovereignty of our nation, and this aviation industry that has great value to bring to the nation at large for the benefit of the Bahamian people,” said Mr Hamilton.

“There’s nothing to be trifling there. This is a major industry. Aviation is the key means of transportation in this country, and we ought not to be trifling with it, because safety is the primary function on the part of all the operators the aviation sector.”