Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry has ordered a thorough review of the security arrangements in place at the island's two international airports.

The announcement came after the dramatic hostage incident on Sunday night at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

Minister Henry, who has portfolio responsibility for airports and the aviation sector, has also requested urgent reports from MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), the private company which has operated the Sangster Airport for a number of years; the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).

operational aspects

The AAJ has responsibility for the implementation of both the policy and operational aspects of the local airports and aerodromes, while the JCAA has responsibility for the technical and policy aspects of the local aviation sector.

The review and reports are expected to identify the relevant details of the security breaches that took place, in an effort to ensure there is no reoccurrence of such an incident.

The minister commended the members of the security forces who, "acting in the highest professional manner, succeeded in taking the perpetrator into custody without loss of life or injury to anyone".

successful rescue

In another release sent earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding had also ordered an immediate investigation into the security breach.

A successful rescue operation resulted in the man being captured. No one, including the crew, was harmed during the operation. The passengers were released before the operation.

"I have ordered an investigation into the circumstances under which the security arrangement at the Sangster International airport could have been breached. We have an unblemished record of airline safety and airport safety. We have never had anything of its kind in Jamaica before," the prime minister said at a press conference held at the airport, after the ordeal was over.

Also taking part in the press conference was Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is on an official visit to the island.