Bahamasair yesterday denied allegations made on a popular blog that it purchased a compromised aircraft, calling the claims "outright lies". The airline said it believes one of its employees is the source of the "malicious attack".

"The board and management of Bahamasair are greatly disturbed and disappointed that individuals would attack the integrity of the organization by posting erroneous and misleading information to the public," said the company in a press statement.

"The photograph used to suggest the aircraft purchased in 2014 was received with a damaged fuselage is an outright lie.

"Bahamasair will never place our passengers or our staff in a position where their safety is ever in jeopardy. "To suggest that the company purchased a compromised aircraft was intended to create fear and concern."

The website breakingnews242 claimed the $6.5 million Boeing 737 Jet commissioned in March 2014 had to be put on dry dock in the hangar to change the entire fuselage, which is the body of the plane. It posted a picture of a damaged aircraft.

Bahamasair explained that the part of the fuselage mentioned was purchased several months ago from a dismantled aircraft in Miami, and will be used for simulated cabin training for flight attendants, who must now travel to Miami for manual training. The company said this was a part of a cost savings initiative, which will save in excess of $70,000 annually.

Bahamasair said it suspects one of its employees is involved in the matter because the person who took the photograph would have needed security access to the ramp and hangar. Bahamasair said due to the libelous nature of the online article, it has turned the matter over to the authorities with a view to having the information removed from the site and an apology issued.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian