Mike Henry, Minister of Transport and Works.

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT and Works Mike Henry created a stink at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay last Thursday after his security personnel were prevented from boarding an Air Jamaica flight to Kingston with their guns.

Civil aviation regulations restrict licensed firearm holders from boarding international flights with their gun.

Spokesperson for the transport ministry, Reginald Allen, said arrangements were made with the authorities for the minister's security detail to travel with their guns aboard the flight. However, the details of the arrangements, apparently, were not communicated to the authorities at the Sangster International Airport.

Deteriorated into a quarrel

The Sunday Gleaner was informed that the situation deteriorated into a quarrel between the minister and the airport authorities.

"The minister had a very important engagement to attend and he was being delayed. He told them (the authorities) that they should get their act together," explains Allen.

A compromise was eventually reached, Allen says, and Henry and his security personnel were allowed to board the plane.