NORAD Fighter Jets Respond to Bomb Threats Aboard Flights Landing in Calgary

An RCAF CF-18 takes off from CFB Bagotville, Quebec, on June 7, 2018. Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press

Two fighter jets and refueling aircraft responded to reports of bomb threats aboard three commercial aircraft landing in Calgary on Sept. 15, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) says.

“Out of an abundance of caution, North American Aerospace Defense Command CF-18 aircraft and F-15 fighter aircraft, as well as supporting aerial refueling aircraft, responded to three commercial passenger aircraft flying from Germany to Calgary International Airport,” a NORAD spokesperson told The Epoch Times on Sept. 17.

NORAD confirmed that it responded to the incident shortly after 2 p.m. MDT on Sept. 15 after Canadian authorities received reports of bomb threats aboard the three flights.

“The aircraft landed without incident at Calgary International Airport after the threats were determined to be not credible,” the spokesperson said.

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) says it also responded to the incident as police were called to the Calgary airport around 2:20 p.m. for “an incident involving an incoming aircraft.”

“The Aircraft landed and all passengers disembarked the aircraft safely,” the CPS told The Epoch Times in a Sept. 17 email, adding that the incident has been resolved and police have confirmed that “there is no threat to the public.”

Police say the investigation resulted in limited disruption to the airport’s regular operations, adding that there will be no further updates on the investigation.

NAV Canada told The Epoch Times that it cannot disclose information pertaining to any specific incident, but it confirmed that in the event it is notified of any threat, it reports relevant information to the “appropriate” authorities immediately.

“As Canada’s civil air navigation services provider, we confirm that in any circumstance we continue to provide air navigation services, cooperating with civil and military authorities as necessary and supporting the safety of both civilian and military operators within our airspace,” NAV Canada said in a Sept. 17 email.

‘Swift Responses’

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he is “grateful” for NORAD’s quick response to the incident.

“Grateful to @NORADcommand for their swift responses and coordination to protect our skies, and ensure the safety and security of Canadians at all times,” Carney said in a Sept. 15 post on X.

Defence Minister David McGuinty also praised NORAD for successfully handling the incident.

“What it indicates, I think, for us, what it should indicate for Canadians, is that NORAD did its job, and it did it very, very well,” McGuinty told reporters on Sept. 16 ahead of a cabinet meeting. “Fighter jets were scrambled. There was a bomb threat, I understand.”

The minister said the RCMP has taken control of the incident and is now in charge of the file, adding that “all seems to be fine.”

“I think it’s important for us to remember that this binational command and the system at NORAD work for us very, very well,” McGuinty added.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree also responded to reporters’ questions about the incident, saying there didn’t appear to be any threat to the public at this point in time.

“I’m thankful for the work that’s been undertaken,” Anandasangaree told reporters on Sept. 16. “The threats were not credible from my understanding.”