American Airlines has defended its decision to search Prime Minister Tillman Thomas before he boarded one of its airlines at the Maurice Bishop International Airport last month.
In a brief statement issued yesterday, the airline said it always follows prescribed security screening procedures established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration.
The statement said the procedures are uniform and the screening of the Prime Minister was conducted in full consultation with the Government of Grenadas Protocol Officer and with the utmost respect in a private area of the airport away from the public.
American Airlines further says the private screening procedure is frequently used for Heads of States travelling on American Airlines.
Prime Minister Thomas told the Caribbean Media Corporation earlier this week that he had no problems with the search which occurred at the Airports VIP lounge last month.