WESTERN BUREAU:

The wait-time for the return of checked bags to passengers who were aboard ill-fated American Airlines Flight 331 is now estimated at 60 days.

In a release yesterday, the airline said it would be providing an international standard of care for the recovery and return of checked luggage and personal effects through a company specialising in this process.

"Recovered items will be cleaned, sanitised and returned to passengers. A team will be working initially, including engineers and recovery experts, to complete this sensitive project, which may take up to 60 days," the airline said.

Two-year probe

AA said it has been returning carry-on bags over the past three days. In addition, US$5,000 has been provided to each passenger to assist while their bags are detained.

In the meantime, investigations into the cause of the crash of the 737-800 aircraft, which had 148 passengers and six crew members aboard, could last up to two years, says head of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Derby. The JCAA is leading the inquiry.

"Some of the investigations take much longer," he noted.

"When we put all our findings together, we will do a draft of a final report to all the parties involved in the investigations," he told The Gleaner, erasing all hopes the process would end any time soon.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com