Mon, Oct 27, 2003
Missile Threat Apparently Came From Within Canada
An Israeli El Al flight
from Tel Aviv to Toronto was diverted -- not once, but twice --
before it landed safely at its destination last week. Now, Canadian
officials are offering short explanations as to why.
"It was a serious threat," an anonymous Pearson airport official
told the Toronto Sun. "We understand the target was to be
attacked on the tarmac." The phoned-in threat was made from
somewhere in the Toronto area. The caller reportedly said the
attack would involve a heat-seeking SAM. Police are now reportedly
trying to trace the call, but are still unsure whether it came from
a pay phone or a cell phone.
CTV reports the aircraft was first diverted from Toronto to
Montreal. But after it was airborne, the network reports the flight
was diverted to Hamilton on a tip from Israeli security officers.
When the flight landed at John C. Munro Airport, its 193 passengers
were met on the ramp by tactical police officers.
Transport Minister David Collenette said an investigation is
underway. "The matter is now being investigated by the RCMP,
CSIS, Transport Canada and the Peel regional police."
Collenette wouldn't tallk about the threat, other than to say it
was "specific to the El Al flight." The El Al flight runs three
times each week from Israel's Ben Gurion airport, on Sundays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then continues to Los Angeles.
Because of the threat, two other El Al flights were diverted,
including a second El Al aircraft bound for Pearson last Friday.
Security for the Israeli airline carrier includes armed guards at
check-in, on-board marshals and extensive luggage searches. An El
Al flight did land early Sunday without incident.
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]