Four threats in five days made against WestJet flights

For the fourth time in less than a week, another WestJet flight has been diverted as the result of a false threat against the aircraft.

On July 1, Flight 722 from Vancouver to Toronto was diverted to Calgary International Airport and evacuated after the carrier received a bomb threat against the aircraft. According to WestJet spokesperson Robert Palmer, the flight’s 30 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated and re-accommodated onto other Toronto-bound flights. As in the other recent threat incidents, a sweep of the aircraft by Calgary police resulted in no explosives being found.

“We understand and appreciate that four false threats in five days is generating a great deal of interest and unfortunately, rumour and speculation,” Palmer told PAX. “We will not comment on these rumours nor will we share information about how we handle these incidents, for obvious reasons. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to find those responsible. Safety remains our top priority and we will continue to be vigilante to keep our guests and our crews safe.”

On Tuesday (June 30), WestJet Flight 323 carrying 113 passengers from Toronto to Saskatoon received a similar threat, landing safely at John G. Diefenbaker International Airport before Saskatoon police cleared the plane.

On June 29, another threat was made against a Toronto-bound flight from Edmonton with 54 passengers and five crew, which was then diverted to Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport. The Winnipeg Airport RCMP stated that officers with the Explosives Canine Unit were deployed just before the flight landed at YWG at approximately 8:40 p.m. Officers interviewed all passengers and cleared the plane and baggage late Monday night, police said. WestJet said that six passengers were treated in hospital for injuries sustained during the evacuation.

The series of threats began last Saturday (June 27), when an Edmonton-bound flight carrying 147 passengers from Halifax was diverted to Saskatoon. Passengers and crew were safely escorted off the plane and following an inspection of the aircraft and baggage, the Saskatoon Police Service reported that no explosive devices were found on board. According to the London Free Press in London, ON, a caller advised the Kincardine Municipal Airport of an alleged bomb aboard the plane. Airport officials then notified Ontario Provincial Police, the report said.

Police continue to investigate the incidents, however, no arrests have yet been made in connection with any of the threats.