16 May 2010

Jet escort for airliner

2:12 pm on 16 May 2010

Canadian fighter jets have escorted a Cathay Pacific airliner to land at Vancouver airport.

The flight, which originated from Hong Kong, was under a potential unspecified security threat.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command says the plane, which was escorted by two jets, landed without incident at about 1.30pm (PT) on Saturday.

It was towed to a secure area with the passengers on board. The jets have returned to their base on Vancouver Island.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation quoted Defense Department officials as saying the jet escort was ordered after a bomb threat.

CBC reports the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Defence Department are investigating the incident.

The BBC reports no explosives were found. Police say nothing dangerous was found on the plane and there was no threat to the passengers.