CAL responds to claims by Joint Select Committee

...says all security checks are undertaken

(Trinidad Express) Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) has given the assurance that the air carrier does engage in proper security checks of prospective employees, which are carried out in keeping with the company’s normal employment requirements.

The assurance after CAL was taken to task by members of a Joint Select Committee (JSC) on State Enterprises on Tuesday, for failing to do security background checks on new employees, some of whom hold managerial positions.

In a press release on Wednesday, CAL, which stated that its board of directors have taken note of the statements made by members of the JSC, said: “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, which will liaise with security to ensure that due process has been followed.”

CAL said the airline industry is highly regulated, and as a proud and longstanding member of the International Air Transport Association – IATA, and also as a recognized IATA Operational Safety Audit qualified airline and a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved repair station, Caribbean Airlines adheres to a rigorous system of checks and balances, and has complied with its own internal policy on security checks.