This is the latest information posted on CanJet’s website:

City: Montego Bay (MBJ)
Date Issued: April 20, 2009 03:59 AM ADT

CanJet Statement on Flight 918

April 20th 2009, Halifax, Nova Scotia – At approximately 23h30 ADT an incident occurred on CanJet Airlines Flight 918 at Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay, Jamaica. CanJet Airlines Flight 918 was being operated for Transat Tours Canada.

We are still working with officials there to gather information, but at this time we know CanJet Flight 918 flying from Halifax, Nova Scotia, had made a scheduled landing at Montego Bay when an armed man boarded the aircraft.

A full security operation is underway and CanJet is cooperating fully with the local authorities.

Flight 918 was carrying 182 passengers and crew. All passengers have been safely removed from the aircraft, but CanJet crew and the armed man remain on board. Our understanding is that no harm has come to anyone remaining on board and no there has been no damage to the aircraft.

CanJet takes very seriously its commitment to security onboard its aircraft and does everything it can to promote safety. Our priority at this time is well-being of the passengers and crew who were involved in the incident.
CanJet Airlines has set up a toll free number for anyone who may be concerned about family or relatives who may have been traveling on CanJet Flight 918.

Family or relatives can call 1-888-777-6429.

What else do we know?

•    At least 5 crew members are being held hostage.
•    The passengers are in local hotels and they have not been injured.
•    The gunman, a 20 year old mentally challenged man, demanded to be flown to Cuba where the flight had a scheduled stop en route to Halifax.
•    According to reports the gunman forced his way through security and boarded the plane about 40 minutes before it was due to depart.
•    Prime Minister Harper is currently in Jamaica for a one day visit and is monitoring the situation.

Let’s hope that this situation can be resolved with no loss of life. It does bring into question the security at the Jamaican airport. It should not have been so easy for someone with a gun to board a plane. Considering what has been going on in “sun destinations” perhaps Canadians should be rethinking whether the pleasure of the weather in these sunny locales is worth the risk.