11 Oct 2007

Plane problems disrupt Marshall's domestic services

10:43 am on 11 October 2007

All domestic flights in the Marshall Islands ground to a halt yesterday as the national carrier's only plane suffered a mechanical problem, stranding about 30 passengers at the U.S. Army missile testing range at Kwajalein.

Air Marshall Islands' 34-seat, twin engine Dash-8 was making a scheduled

flight to Bikini and other islands, but while stopped for refueling at Kwajalein, problems were identified that resulted in the off-loading of passengers and the plane returning to Majuro for repairs.

The new problems mean that next Wednesdy's flight will also be cancelled.

Air Marshall Islands other aircraft, a German-built Dornier 19-seat

twin-engine plane, has been grounded since August 18th and is not expected back in service until at least the middle of next week.

Both planes were grounded with engine problems for three weeks in August

and September.