At approximately 11 p.m., a gunman boarded a plane on the runway at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, and held the crew and 140 passengers hostage.

Using the staff entrance, the gunman breached security systems with several fake identification cards in the airport pouch strung around his neck and entered secured areas of the facility.

He boarded the Canjet plane, a Canadian charter flight, which was preparing to take off.

The flight was returning to Canada and was to stop in Cuba.

The Gleaner can confirm that at least one shot was fired on board the aircraft, but was unclear if anyone was injured.

The lone gunman proceeded to rob the passengers, who were kept hostage for approximately half an hour, before they were released.

Staff at the airport said the gunman appeared not to be of Jamaican nationality.

According to airport sources, the gunman appeared to be a Latin-American, and was wearing short pants and a black long-sleeved shirt.

A large contingent of police and army personnel cordoned off the airport, from as far as the airport roundabout on Queen's Drive in an effort to bring the situation under control.

However, efforts were being taken to protect the visitors to the island who were at the facility.

Airport workers remained in shock as they assessed what appeared to be a serious breach of security.

The captain and crew, up to midnight, were still being held at gunpoint on the plane.

Apparently, the gunman had begun to make requests and had already been given a cellular phone.

It was unclear at press time what his other requests were.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com