Close X
Monday, November 11, 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's Beef, Pork Sectors Cheer Wto Decision In Meat Labelling Dispute

    Canada's Beef, Pork Sectors Cheer Wto Decision In Meat Labelling Dispute
    OTTAWA — Canada's beef and pork sectors are welcoming a World Trade Organization ruling that allows Canada and Mexico to impose $1 billion in annual tariffs on U.S. products.

    Canada's Beef, Pork Sectors Cheer Wto Decision In Meat Labelling Dispute

    ISIL Are 'Rerrible Terrorists,' But Justin Trudeau Says CF-18s Will Still Come Home

    ISIL Are 'Rerrible Terrorists,' But Justin Trudeau Says CF-18s Will Still Come Home
    Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose says the extremists who have overrun vast swaths of Syria and Iraq are part of a death cult that sells women and children into sexual slavery and murders religious minorities.

    ISIL Are 'Rerrible Terrorists,' But Justin Trudeau Says CF-18s Will Still Come Home

    Indigenous Affairs Minister To Address Missing, Murdered Women Inquiry Tuesday

    Indigenous Affairs Minister To Address Missing, Murdered Women Inquiry Tuesday
    OTTAWA — Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett is set to make an announcement Tuesday on the subject of the promised inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

    Indigenous Affairs Minister To Address Missing, Murdered Women Inquiry Tuesday

    Shelter Project For Indian-Origin Elders In New Zealand Launched

    Shelter Project For Indian-Origin Elders In New Zealand Launched
    A non-profit organisation in New Zealand has launched an emergency shelter project for senior citizens from the Indian and South Asian communities who are at risk of being abused, or in dire need of emergency housing

    Shelter Project For Indian-Origin Elders In New Zealand Launched

    Terminally Ill Boy Who Galvanized An Ontario Town To Give Him An Early Christmas Dies

    Terminally Ill Boy Who Galvanized An Ontario Town To Give Him An Early Christmas Dies
    BRANTFORD, Ont. — A terminally ill Ontario boy whose wish for an early Christmas attracted a heartfelt outpouring of support has died.

    Terminally Ill Boy Who Galvanized An Ontario Town To Give Him An Early Christmas Dies

    Think-Tank Says Provinces Need To Be Better Prepared For Aging Population

    Think-Tank Says Provinces Need To Be Better Prepared For Aging Population
    SASKATOON — A Calgary-based think-tank says the provinces seem to be ill-prepared for the country's aging population, and the financial challenges that will bring.

    Think-Tank Says Provinces Need To Be Better Prepared For Aging Population