Airport Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) President Nelerene Harding yesterday responded defensively to allegations that a Bahamasair employee was behind the “erroneous and misleading information” regarding the national flag carrier Bahamasair.

Social media rumors suggest that the aircraft purchased in 2014 was received with a damaged fuselage, thus putting Bahamasair passengers at risk.

Yesterday, Bahamasair officials released a press statement averting the integrity of its organization, stating that the part of the fuselage mentioned was purchased with the intent to be used as a simulation for cabin training for cabin attendants.

Included in that release, Bahamasair officials suggest that the individual responsible for the incriminating photo is an employee of the airline, as they say that the photograph requires someone having security access to the ramp and Bahamasair’s hangar.

“We believe the source of this malicious attack to be an employee, as the photograph requires someone having security access to the ramp and Bahamasair’s hangar,” the statement read.

“The fact that the issue of aircraft from jet manufacturer, Embraer (EMB) is once again being raised confirms our suspicion of same.”

In contrast, Ms. Harding said that conclusion cannot be made.

Ms. Harding asserts that “employees and anyone who has ID has access to that area. There is management, line staff and other pilots who have access.”

“No engineer that falls under my rank and file would put that out there,” she added.

“As for an employee taking a picture, they sent that matter out for investigation and I am hopeful that Bahamasair would not just think it’s someone from Bahamasair.”

Ms. Harding said that the minister responsible made a public assumption suggesting a Bahamasair employee is at fault based on the fact of the position shown in the photograph.

However, she said investigations are ongoing and should be carried out justly.