Two Canadian fighter jets escorted a Cathay Pacific airliner with 300 people on board to a safe landing at Vancouver International Airport following a bomb threat, but no explosive was found.
The Vancouver-bound flight, which originated from Hong Kong, landed safely at 13.40 local time and was towed to a secure part of the airport, police said.
A “bomb threat” on board the plane had been called into Royal Canadian Mounted Police at 10.43 am, a police spokeswoman said.
Two Canadian F-18 Hornet fighter jets intercepted the Airbus 8340 with 283 passengers and 14 crew members aboard and flew alongside it until it landed around 1.40 pm. Spokeswoman of the North American Aerospace Defence Command Holly Apostoliuk said the order came following an information about a potential threat.
“As a precaution Norad fighters escorted the aircraft until it landed safely in Vancouver at about 1.40 pm,” she said.
The police searched the aircraft and luggage after the flight landed at Vancouver International Airport, but found no suggestion of explosives, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Though the police did not release details of the threat, Canadian media reported that it was made by phone.
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No police outriders for me: Cameron
London, May 16: British Prime Minister David Cameron has declined police outriders who travel in front of his official car, a move that has sparked concern among security expert who fear for his safety.
Mr Cameron has told his staff that he would be happy to be stuck in traffic jams like ordinary motorists while he is on his way to official engagements, the Sun reported on Saturday.
The Prime Minister’s special Jaguar has bullet-proof windows and bomb-proof doors.
Former PM Gordon Brown used up to six specially-trained police motorcyclists, while John Major did not use any. Mr Cameron’s car was held up in a busy London street on Saturday and passers-by were able to get within a few feet of the Prime Minister. —IANS