Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Threat That Diverted Air France Flight To Montreal Declared False Alarm

The Canadian Press, 08 Dec, 2015 12:10 PM
    PARIS — An Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris was diverted to Montreal after an unspecified anonymous threat, and the passengers landed and disembarked safely before authorities declared it a false alarm.
     
    At least 15 fire trucks and police cars met Flight 83 at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport late Monday, where authorities verified the aircraft, passengers and baggage.
     
    Air France tweeted Tuesday: "after a full security search, false alert confirmed by local authorities following an anonymous threat."
     
    Earlier, the airline had said the crew decided to divert "as a precautionary measure."
     
    Air France said an investigation will be carried out into the origin of the threat, and promised to send passengers safely to their destinations.
     
    Spokeswoman Ulli Gendrot said all passengers were safely off the plane. She would not elaborate on the nature of the threat.
     
    Airlines around the world face sporadic threats and occasionally divert planes as a result.
     
    Tensions are unusually high in France, which has been in a state of emergency since Islamic extremist suicide bombings and shootings in Paris on Nov. 13 that killed 130 people, the deadliest attacks on French soil in decades.
     
    Passenger Gilles Raymond of San Francisco said after about five hours in the air, the pilot made an announcement that they needed to land in Montreal for technical reasons. He said once the plane had landed, the pilot said authorities would have to do a thorough security check of the plane and passengers and that everyone would have to disembark.
     
    "Everyone is pretty relaxed," Raymond said while still inside. "There was no panic, no stress. Everyone is waiting in their seats. Some people are sleeping, and some are checking their phones or eating ice cream that the flight attendants gave them."
     
    He said passengers spent at least an hour on board the plane during verifications.
     
    "They told us they will check every passenger and that we may spend the night here," Raymond said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canada Needs Strategy To Combat Influence Of Money In U.S. Politics: Ambassador

    OTTAWA — Canada's ambassador to the U.S. says this country needs to find a way to combat the influence of big money in American politics, which is getting in the way of the interests of both countries.

    Canada Needs Strategy To Combat Influence Of Money In U.S. Politics: Ambassador

    Dark, Rainy Conditions Before Serious Langley Crash That Injured Driver: Police

    Dark, Rainy Conditions Before Serious Langley Crash That Injured Driver: Police
    RCMP say an eastbound Toyota Tacoma collided with a northbound Subaru Impreza just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

    Dark, Rainy Conditions Before Serious Langley Crash That Injured Driver: Police

    Ontario Auditor Finds Hydro Consumers Pay Billions Extra For Liberal's Decisions

    TORONTO — Auditor general Bonnie Lysyk says electricity customers in Ontario have paid billions of dollars for the Liberal government's decisions to ignore its own planning process for new power generation projects.

    Ontario Auditor Finds Hydro Consumers Pay Billions Extra For Liberal's Decisions

    Frigid Dip Into B.C. Fishing Harbour No Escape For Alleged Bike Thief: RCMP

    Frigid Dip Into B.C. Fishing Harbour No Escape For Alleged Bike Thief: RCMP
    RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say officers responding to a report of a theft at an apartment building confronted the suspect who was observed with a bike.

    Frigid Dip Into B.C. Fishing Harbour No Escape For Alleged Bike Thief: RCMP

    Drugs May Have Caused The Deaths Of Two Men 48 Hours Apart In Quebec Home: Cops

    Drugs May Have Caused The Deaths Of Two Men 48 Hours Apart In Quebec Home: Cops
    SAGUENAY, Que. — Quebec police say drugs may have caused the deaths of two men who were found 48 hours apart in the same bed.

    Drugs May Have Caused The Deaths Of Two Men 48 Hours Apart In Quebec Home: Cops

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy
    OTTAWA — The RCMP plans to set up a cybercrime team to investigate the most significant online threats to Canada's reputation and economy.

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy