ST JOHN’S – A 35-year-old French national has been fined EC$4 000 (BDS$2 963) after he pleaded guilty to causing a bomb scare on a LIAT flight at the VC Bird International Airport last week.
Francois Bourneth, who was returning to Guadeloupe from Barbados where he attended the Crop Over celebrations, used the words “bombs” and “terrorist” when he was repeatedly asked by the flight attendant for his boarding pass last Thursday.
When he appeared in court on Monday, the French national admitted to the offence and was fined EC$4 000 or six months in prison if he failed to pay.
The flight attendant reported the matter to the captain and the police were notified, resulting in a sweep of the aircraft. After a long period, the plane, with 69 people on board, departed for Guadeloupe.
In a statement last week, LIAT assured travellers that it remained fully committed to the safety of its passengers as well as crew and would continue to cooperate and partner with all security personnel dedicated to maintaining a safe environment at airports. (CMC)
