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Fighter escort for Air Canada flight
Last Updated Tue, 27 Apr 2004 22:50:27
RICHMOND, B.C. - An Air Canada aircraft with 145 passengers onboard, was given a fighter escort into Vancouver on Tuesday. Although no one will say why, two government sources have confirmed to CBC News that a threat was made against the plane, but it appears to have been a false alarm.


INDEPTH: Canadian security

The plane had flown from Halifax to Vancouver with a stop in Toronto. RCMP officers interviewed passengers and crew, but would only say that they were "investigating" the flight.


The Federal Aviation Administration in Washington told CBC News there was "something onboard that had to be checked out."

A spokesperson for Norad also refused to give any details about what triggered the action. "Two Canadian air force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets assigned to the Canadian Norad region did conduct a routine air sovereignty operation today," said Capt. Dave Muralt.

"In order to preserve operational security, I can't give you any more information than that. What I can tell you is that since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Norad - that's Norad as a whole - has conducted more than 35,000 internal air defence sorties."

Flight 109, a Boeing 767 aircraft, landed safely. Passengers were allowed to collect their baggage and were not detained. Police say their investigation is continuing.



Written by CBC News Online staff

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