Hummingbird Air cancels passenger flights following incident in St. Lucia

The new aircraft from HummingBird Air
A Hummingbird Air aircraft

Hummingbird Air has decided to cancel all passenger flights until further notice.

A release sent to Dominica News Online (DNO) by the airline states that the decision was taken following an incident which occurred in St. Lucia this morning involving one of the airline’s aircraft.

” There was an incident involving a Hummingbird Air aircraft on landing at the George F. L. Charles airport in Castries, St. Lucia this morning November 8, 2015. The only soul on board was the pilot who was unharmed. The company has launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of this incident,”  the release states.

It added “Hummingbird Air has taken the decision to cancel all passenger flights until further notice.”

The airline has said that more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Dominica News Online has learned that the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) is also investigating the incident in which the aircraft is reported to have encountered difficulty and veered off the runway.

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24 Comments

  1. SHIFT
    November 10, 2015

    I didn’t realize Dominicans had it in them to be objective, or is only when its not Liat. I don’t see whats so prudent in that decision..just in August they had a similar situation in Barbuda. shouldn’t they have ensured that all their remaining air craft were checked to decrease the likely hood of it happening to another of their planes? how often do they conduct routine maintenance on those air craft? say what you want about liat but when it comes to safety liat leads the way..

  2. island girl
    November 9, 2015

    Humming bird has provided service to Dominicans which is convenient
    and I wish the management and staff all the best ,,We need to support our
    own Hope all will work well for Mr Raphael he is a gracious person God
    will see u through

  3. smooth operator
    November 9, 2015

    We Dominicans just dont appreciate our own..its all well and good to state our concerns and opinions but we need to do it properly…we had it up with LIAT to our necks..now another airline is on the scene making air transport easier for us..a mishap occured ..we there with all the negative energy

    • TRUTH BE TOLD
      November 10, 2015

      You’re so uneducated, that’s your problem.

  4. November 9, 2015

    As a flyer and sometimes visitor to the Caribbean I applaud Hummingbird Airlines for making the safety of its passengers and crew the top priority.

    It appears that Hummingbird grounded all its planes until an investigation could be made. This shows the utmost integrity. It boosts my confidence in the airline.

    I wish the company, its management, and employees every success as they continue to serve the best interests of the public.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  5. WELL WELL WELL
    November 9, 2015

    Give me a break, every other lame airline get away but if it was LIAT all you will be saying all manner of evil. Dominicans are to HYPOCRITICAL for me. CHUPZZZ.

    • DA MASSIVE
      November 10, 2015

      If you were closer id shake your big toe..thats the second incident in about 5 months..when liat delays for safety of its operations dominicans have all kinda things to say..i myself sticking with liat..

  6. memoe
    November 9, 2015

    wish you luck hummingbird, but you have to remember the air crafts are old anw what exactly happen?

  7. Malatete
    November 8, 2015

    Looks like a collapse of the right landing gear on this Beech BE99. Almost a repeat of what happened to an identical Humming bird aircraft upon landing in Barbuda on 18 August of this year. If it is the same aircraft, the airline is prudent to halt services for the time being to make sure that this is not an inherent problem for all their aircraft, which are of the same type.

    • November 9, 2015

      I expect Hummingbird to look closely at all three of their planes while they are grounded and check not only the landing gear but check for all other potential problems.

      Personally I have flown from Canada and the U.S. to Caribbean Islands, and also from island to island. Like other flyers I was pleased to see Hummingbird make its services available. Thank God they are giving time and attention to the current problem with the assurance it can be beaten.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

    • November 9, 2015

      I expect Hummingbird to look closely at all three of their planes while they are grounded and check not only the landing gear but check for all other potential problems.

      Personally I have flown from Canada and the U.S. to Caribbean Islands, and also from island to island. Like other flyers I was pleased to see Hummingbird make its services available. Thank God they are giving time and attention to the current problem. It can be beaten.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  8. Hhhmmmm
    November 8, 2015

    Wow……sorry to hear of this news. Would like to wish Mr. Rafael and his associates all the very best in their efforts. We hope and pray that the investigations bring forth favourable results and that your company grows in strength and stature. We wish you all the best bro. God knows you have been through enough these last few months. God’s speed to you and your company!

  9. November 8, 2015

    safety is paramount.

    • November 8, 2015

      I hope they make whatever changes are necessary and resume passenger service as soon as they determine it is safe to do so. We transportation alternatives like theirs!

    • DA MASSIVE
      November 10, 2015

      i hope you guys remember that when liat flights are delayed due to mechanical defects…its to prevent incidents like this liat goes through such lengths to ensure safety of its crew,passengers,and equipments….

  10. Retired red teacher
    November 8, 2015

    Again

  11. Zandoli
    November 8, 2015

    Isn’t that the second incident this year?

    Not a good omen.

    • November 9, 2015

      Mechanical and technical problems occur with planes as with cars.

      The significant thing is how the airline is dealing with the problem. It appears Hummingbird is putting safety before profit. If they pursue this path they may well become an industry leader.

      I would expect them to check for any other potential problem while the planes are grounded.

      The money they lose by grounding their three planes until they KNOW they are safe is the best investment they could possibly make in the future of the company. Airlines spend money on advertising. As the world looks on this is the best advertising they could do. I will fly with such an airline.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

      • Zandoli
        November 9, 2015

        Rev. It is better to catch these problems before they happen

      • dread
        November 10, 2015

        great point.. so lets stop criticize liat when flights a delayed due to air craft maintenance.

  12. Phillip Joseph
    November 8, 2015

    An extremely tough, but eternally prudent decision on the part of management. I, and everyone should, applaud you on your brave stance.
    I wish your company every success; may God guide, protect, and direct your business(es)

  13. James Lynch
    November 8, 2015

    If you have three aircraft such an incident is a major inconvenience.

    If you have two aircraft such an incident becomes a very difficult time.

    But, if you have just one aircraft, such an incident becomes a disaster that can slose down your small airline permanently.

    It is all very well to say “start small with one or two aircraft”, but in today’s hustle no operator can afford to lose their entire fleet (of one aircraft) indefinitely and expect paying passengers “to understand”.

    • Malatete
      November 9, 2015

      Just for clarification, Hummingbird have three aircraft, all of the same type and costly as it may be the management’s decision is a positive one and will benefit the image of the airline in the long run.

      • Tox
        November 9, 2015

        Thank you, because I just didn’t understand what the hell Lynch was saying there

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