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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBreaking from Jamaica - Sangster airport Montego Bay closed because of fire on
a Delta flight. It appears the fire was in the cargo hold. Will update with flight number as I get details - don't know yet if it was on takeoff, landing or at the gate.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20151012/fire-board-delta-flight-montego-bay-sangster-airport-closed
<snip>
Montego Bays Sangster Airport has been closed after fire on board Delta flight 304 while on the runway this afternoon.
Commercial Director of MBJ Airports Limited Sitara Byfield said the fire started among cargo on the flight.
It has since been extinguished.
Some 160 passengers were on board.
They have all been safely evacuated via emergency exits.
In the meantime, all flights into Montego Bay are being re-routed into Kingston.
malaise
(269,157 posts)Delta Air Lines flight 304 from Jamaica to Atlanta had a reported fire in its cargo area Monday, but all 160 passengers and six crew members were able to evacuate safely, according to airline and airport officials.
Montego Bays Sangster International Airport closed after the 3:40 p.m. incident, with flights diverted to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
The crew aboard the Boeing 737-800 received a flight-deck warning of a cargo fire while the plane was at the end of the runway, and quickly activated the fire-suppression systems, according to airline spokesman Morgan Durrant.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/10/12/delta-flight-jamaica-evacuates-reported-fire-without-injuries/73840246/
MADem
(135,425 posts)Oh well....they'll get a really great view of the countryside!!! Lots and lots and LOTS of countryside!!!!
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)Jeez.
malaise
(269,157 posts)Either is fine by me - the North Coast Highway is lovely and so is the view
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)It's been years since I've been back, I would imagine the roads have got to be better nowadays. They were pretty rough back in the day.
It's really cloudy today although they fly quite low from Mobay to Kingston.
It's not really the distance - it's the inconvenience if you're here for a holiday in Ochi, Mobay or Negril. Guess you could hop on the Knutsford Express
The good news is that there were no injuries. Another aircraft is on the way.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I had a friend (RIP) who used to fly a little two engine prop plane between Kingston and Mo Bay. I used to bum rides regularly.
malaise
(269,157 posts)if they can afford it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)and goes to Ochi, Portland, Mobay, Negril, Mandeville and a few other stops. Lots of locals use it for weekends or reggae and jazz festivals. Tourists use it to escape from the hotels and see other places with the locals
What is a pay road???
MADem
(135,425 posts)A pay road is a road where you have to pay a toll to use it. You either use a "tag reader" (and get billed or it is taken off a debit acoount) or you get a ticket at the start and pay when you get off. It's like a toll expressway. I read about a new one in jamrock--I just couldn't remember the name!!
When I was living down there the roads were nothing like that~! Nor the buses!
malaise
(269,157 posts)We use them when we go to my cousin in Ochi although the one through Junction and St Mary is free (so far). Lots of locals don't use them - they are not cheap. They sure cut time. We call them toll roads
They're building a new one St Thomas across to Portland. The old roads are still there.
Still lots of old pensioners with some money use the Knutsford Express to spend a day at the Beach in Mobay or wherever. They say it's great fun and they don't have to depend on their children to plan their trips.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Any time we went any distance, we'd stop at the roadside places and get food. Mmmmm~!
That bus is brilliant if you want to have a few drinks too, and don't want to worry about driving.
malaise
(269,157 posts)Folks park their cars or are dropped off at the pick ups - and they are making lots of money - it's very popular. One of my college mates is in senior management and she's offered us some free passes.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,377 posts)Not surprising though;
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL304/history/20151012/2004ZZ/MKJS/KATL
malaise
(269,157 posts)and it has been breaking on local stations since 5.00pm JA time (we're one hour behind ET)
Saw a USA Today link as well