CAL: All staff undergo security checks

Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) is disputing the assertion by the parliamentary Joint Select Committee on State Enterprises that it did not follow proper security procedures when hiring staff.

In a statement yesterday, the State-owned airline said it had “taken careful note of statements” made by the committee at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that as part of a “highly regulated” industry, it adheres to a “rigorous system” of checks and balances as mandated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company also has its own internal policies, CAL said.

The JSC had questioned decisions by new CEO Garvin Medera, including his hiring practices and the company’s security screening processes for new employees. Medera did not respond to Newsday’s request for comment.

“The airline industry poses high security risks arising out of both narcotic trafficking and terrorist activity. As a result, all staff are subject to security checks before being hired. The nature and conduct of the security check policy is administered by the Security department in Operations and Human Resources will liaise with Security to ensure that due process has been followed,” CAL said.

Security checks are carried out as per the company’s normal employment requirements, including but not limited to reference checks and certificate verification. The company also requires police verified certificates of good character and applies other internal and external security checks. More intensive security checks are only conducted for support staff who are required to access the airport, aircraft or airside facilities or as other regulations may require.

Further security checks are also done for pilots and flight attendants to meet FAA and other Airport regulations.

Successfully completing required security checks is a condition of the Caribbean Airlines’ employment agreement, the airline said.

Line minister for Caribbean Airlines, Finance Minister Colm Imbert told Newsday that CAL will update him on Friday, but had been told by the company that the allegation about a lack of security screening or a failure to perform background checks on applicants is unfounded.