Antigua PM Slams InterCaribbean for Frequent Engine Problems

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told InterCaribbean to get its act together after frequent technical issues have caused travelers to plunge into panic over flying safety.

Last week, InterCaribbean Flight 713 to Barbados encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff from the Douglas-Charles Airport and was forced to return to Dominica.

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft departed at 1:15 p.m. for Grantley Adams International Airport and made several loops east of Dominica before returning to the airport.

The airline confirmed that the aircraft experienced a precautionary shutdown of one of its engines due to a technical issue, but the skilled pilot safely landed the plane, and all passengers were accommodated on another flight.

A similar incident occurred in Antigua over four weeks ago; an incident occurred at V.C Bird International Airport, where an Inter-Caribbean plane experienced an engine failure during take-off.

But Browne said this is too frequent, and the airline should ensure their maintenance is up to par for passengers’ safety.

“…It is just too frequent and undermining the confidence of flying on InterCaribbean. When you often have these mechanical issues, these guys must get their act together. It is almost signaling that there is an issue with maintenance, and we know that this is very important”, Browne said on Saturday on Pointe F.M

PM Browne expressed relief that no harm was done and there were no casualties or fatalities.

However, he also expressed concerns that the frequency of such events is becoming a worrying trend

In a statement, InterCaribbean confirmed that in Dominica’s case, the pilot detected an anomaly in one of the aircraft’s engines just minutes after takeoff.

As a precautionary measure, the captain shut down the affected engine and returned to Marigot, where the plane landed without any further incident.

Emergency procedures were implemented, and emergency services were on standby as the aircraft landed safely.

To ensure the comfort and convenience of the affected passengers, InterCaribbean is currently sending another aircraft to Marigot. The new plane will accommodate all the passengers affected by the incident, providing them with a safe and seamless journey to their destination.