The Associated Press
PARIS—An Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris was diverted to Montreal after an unspecified anonymous threat, with the passengers disembarking safely before authorities declared it a false alarm.
At least 15 fire trucks and police cars met Flight 83 at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport late yesterday, where authorities verified the aircraft, passengers, and baggage.
Air France tweeted today: “After a full security search, false alert confirmed by local authorities following an anonymous threat.”
Earlier, the airline had said the crew decided to divert “as a precautionary measure.”
Air France said an investigation will be carried out into the origin of the threat, and promised to send passengers safely to their destinations.
Spokeswoman Ulli Gendrot said all passengers were safely off the plane.
She would not elaborate on the nature of the threat.
Airlines around the world face sporadic threats and occasionally divert planes as a result.
Passenger Gilles Raymond of San Francisco said after about five hours in the air, the pilot made an announcement that they needed to land in Montreal for technical reasons.
He said once the plane had landed, the pilot said authorities would have to do a thorough security check of the plane and passengers—and that everyone would have to disembark.
