Canadian fighters scrambled after bomb threat to plane

(News Today) - Two Canadian fighter jets on Saturday escorted a Cathay Pacific Airways flight into Vancouver International Airport in response to a bomb threat to the plane, authorities said, though they later determined there was no threat aboard the aircraft.

"A security issue raised on the ground in Vancouver meant extra security for the aircraft inbound to the airport and upon arrival," Gus Whitcomb, a spokesman for Cathay Pacific, said in a statement. "We are not aware of any issues arising on board the aircraft itself."

Cpl. Sherrdean Turley of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the fighter jets were scrambled after authorities received a bomb threat at 10:43 a.m. (1:43 p.m. ET).

The plane landed safely at 1:35 p.m. (4:35 p.m. ET), said Alisa Gloag, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Airport Authority.

Passengers were deplaned and the aircraft was towed to another area for further inspection, she said.

There was "no indication" of explosives on the plane, RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen told CNN.

An investigation by the RCMP is under way, Turley said.

Source : CNN

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