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More at the link -> http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/11/u-s-fighter-jets-escort-korean-air-flight-to-comox-after-bomb-threat/
U.S. fighter jets escort Korean Air flight to Comox after bomb threat
Postmedia News Apr 11, 2012 – 8:14 AM ET | Last Updated: Apr 11, 2012 12:28 PM ET
By Cindy E. Harnett and Sandra McCulloch
VICTORIA — A Korean Air flight bound for Seoul from Vancouver with 134 passengers on board was diverted Tuesday and forced to land in Comox on Vancouver Island after a bomb threat was called into a U.S. call centre for the airline.
The plane, which now sits at Comox Airport, has a crew of 13, headed by Canadian pilot Stow Andrew Chisholm, for a total of 147 people on board.
The passengers and crew have been taken off the plane and into an airplane hangar where they are being interviewed by the RCMP, said Comox Mayor Paul Ives.
There were no obvious injuries and everyone is being taken care of,” said the mayor, who had just spoken to Comox’s fire chief. Police, fire crews and B.C. Ambulance paramedics are also on the scene.
“It’s too early to tell if they are staying the night or headed back to Vancouver,” Ives said, adding that 19 Wing Comox has enough space and sleeping quarters for the passengers and crew if that is necessary.
“They’ll be well looked after and if they need anything from the community they will certainly ask us,” Ives said.
Korean Air flight 72 was accompanied into Comox by U.S. air force F-15 fighter jets from Portland, Ore., according to the Victoria Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
“Twenty-five minutes after take off from Vancouver International Airport, the U.S. call centre received a call that there was a threat on board the aircraft,” said Penny Pfaelzer, a spokeswoman for Korean Air, in an email statement on behalf of the airline. “After discussion with the related departments, we decided to turn the aircraft.”
The plane was diverted over Haida Gwaii.
Following Canadian government regulations, the plane landed at Comox, Pfaelzer said. The airline will decide about continuing the flight after discussion with the airport and related authorities, the email said.
Military and commercial flights share the 10,000-foot runway at Comox Airport and 19 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Comox, military personnel operate the air control tower.
More at the link -> http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/11/u-s-fighter-jets-escort-korean-air-flight-to-comox-after-bomb-threat/