Release #09.71
September 25, 2009

Pilots Urge Strong Sentence for CanJet Attempted Hijacking

WASHINGTON – Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement regarding the guilty conviction handed down by Jamaica’s Western Regional Gun Court following the attempted hijacking of CanJet Flight 918 on April 19 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“Now that guilt has been determined and a conviction handed down, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), calls for the strongest possible sentencing for the individual responsible for the attempted hijacking of CanJet Flight 918, which had more than 160 passengers and crew on board.

“ALPA commends the law enforcement agencies that investigated this case and which have brought the individual involved to justice. Attempted hijacking is an extremely serious and life-threatening crime. It should be punished accordingly, not only as a response to this individual’s conduct, but to demonstrate to others that such action that recklessly threatens public safety comes at a severe cost.

“ALPA also extends its appreciation to the crewmembers of Flight 918 for their heroic actions to protect the lives of all individuals on board and their assistance in bringing the event to a safe conclusion.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union, representing nearly 53,500 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada.