Local News ‘Better safe than sorry’ over Max jet grounding by Barbados Today 15/03/2019 written by Barbados Today 15/03/2019 2 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 215 A prominent tourism industry figure is urging colleagues not to despair over the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 jets, potentially hampering tourist arrivals. Instead, former chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Roseanne Myers wants the precautionary measure to be seen as protection from irreparable long-term damage to the industry rather than as likely losses for the winter season. Citing “new information”, US aviation regulators late yesterday joined Canada, the European Union, Indonesia, Ethiopian and other countries around the world in banning flights of the controversial fourth generation of the 737 jet following two fatal crashes in two months. Dozens of American Airlines passengers were left stranded at the Grantley Adams International Airport when Flight 1089 – a Max 8 aircraft set to leave for Miami at 3.35 p.m. – was grounded indefinitely. Myers told Barbados TODAY: “The grounding of the American Airlines flights and all of the other planes in that Boeing class is the wisest decision to protect the tourism sector because it possibly could save lives. I believe that any temporary disruptions can be dealt with in a manner that is easier than further loss of life.” Barbados TODAY understands the aeroplane, which carries 210 passengers was booked at near maximum capacity. Return leg flights from Miami were also cancelled. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians On its website, AA called attention to the interruption of its services in compliance with a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airline noted that it operates 85 flights a day using the Max 8. “Our operations centre is working to re-route aircraft throughout the systems to cover as much of our schedule as we can,” AA said. This morning, a check on the AA website showed all flights from Miami to Barbados were en route. Myers contends that Barbadian hospitality needed to be on full display, ensuring that brand Barbados counteracts any negativity coming from unforeseen travel frustrations. She said: “I think we have to pull out all of our customer service skills to deal with persons who have been dislocated and whose holiday time has been extended in Barbados. We need to show them the best customer service we can by giving them information and deal with their concerns on the ground in the calmest possible way. “The overarching point, in simple language, is that it is better to be safe than sorry. It will disrupt temporarily but I certainly would not have all of the information with respect to how American Airlines and the other airlines will deal with it.” Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Mathlin-Tulloch: IHB ‘a cornerstone of our island’s tourism industry’ 08/02/2025 Huge interest in Rally Barbados 08/02/2025 Mayers helps Barishal to BPL title 08/02/2025