The gunman that held the crew of a Canjet Airlines aircraft hostage in Jamaica for several hours is now in police custody, the carrier says.

"We are very relieved to confirm that the gunman on CanJet flight 918 in Montego Bay is now in police custody and that the remaining crew have been released unharmed," says Kent Woodside, Canjet vice president and general manager.

"Obviously we were extremely concerned for the well-being of everyone involved in this incident. Our priority is now to provide comfort and support to the passengers and crew who were involved in this ordeal. The crew who were being held are receiving medical attention as a precaution," he says.

Montego's Sangster International Airport has reopened, and a CanJet aircraft has left Montreal and will operate via Toronto to Montego Bay later this afternoon to take passengers and crew on to Santa Clara or back to Canada, should they choose to return home, says the airline.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news