The Tribune

CLARIFICATION: WE HAVE been asked to make clear that the two Marlin Air planes reported to have been damaged and broken into were not stationed at or under the supervision of either Odyssey Aviation or General Aviation Centre, which have comprehensive 24-hour security, at the time.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Bahamians were facing the reality of the destruction left behind in Hurricane Matthew’s wake, a local businessman alleged that thieves were busy at work pillaging two of the aircraft he owns of avionics worth an estimated $70,000.

Rev Ezra Russell, CEO of Marlin Air, told The Tribune yesterday that he is strongly considering filing suit against the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), the Department of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority over the loss of his equipment and the inevitable loss of revenue the company will experience while repairs take place.

In total, Mr Russell estimated that the stolen equipment was worth around $67,000 to $70,000. These include two separate kinds of GPS systems, a radar, a storm scope and two radios, among other instruments.

He questioned the ability of the relevant authorities to secure properties, amid allegations that several other aircraft owners were victims of theft this year.

“After the hurricane we came out here on that Friday and we checked the airplanes and we saw that two other airplanes collided with my airplane ‘Charly 6 WEN’ and the gears collapsed and it fell on its belly,” he said yesterday.

“We checked it out and left it for the insurance company to come by and do their assessment of the damages. I received a call when I was in London that they broke into the airplane and stole all of the avionics out of it.

“I am here today and none of the authorities - Airport Authority, NAD, Civil Aviation - none of them up to this day have given me a call or contacted me to say that you have airplanes that were damaged on our ramp or that thieves came and had their way with my aircraft.”

He continued: “I think it’s bad because we are all Bahamians and we are all young businessmen in this country. I think that we should be treated with more respect and dignity. So I am here with the police today to let them know that I will be filing a lawsuit against NAD, the Airport Authority and whomever else.”

While both airplanes are insured, Mr Russell said he remained outraged that despite religiously paying the fees required to use the facilities at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, his property was not secured.

“You pay overnight parking, you pay a landing fee every time you go out and come.

“So they are supposed to make sure that your plane is secure when you park it here in the night because they have a security as you can see there is a security booth. So I don’t understand how we can just have people walking into the airport and just break into people’s plane and steal things.

“I pay a monthly fee to Odyssey about $160 and $170 per month and then you pay $34 every time you go in and out for the landing fees and then the facility fee which is $12.

“So far for the year I heard that it’s been at least three or four (other people that this has happened to),” he claimed.

The Tribune contacted NAD and was told that Mr Russell did not lodge a formal complaint with the company.

“NAD has not received a complaint in relation to this matter, however, we are advised that a complaint was received by the police and is under investigation by the police,” the brief statement read. “Given the preceding, NAD is not in a position to provide further information.”

However, an official who did not want to be named, explained that NAD is not responsible for airport security.

Calls placed to the Department of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority were not successful up to press time.