Attention News and Business Editors:
Air Canada Confirms Details of Unruly Passenger Incident on Flight AC792
MONTREAL, Sept. 27 /CNW/ - Air Canada confirms the details of an incident
today involving a disruptive passenger on one of its Los Angeles-Toronto
flights, AC792. Shortly after departure at 1240 PDT en route to Toronto, a
male passenger was apprehended smoking in the lavatory. All Air Canada flights
are non-smoking.
The passenger became verbally abusive and uttered an anti-American
threat. There was no physical aggression. In-flight crew handled the situation
professionally. The pilot elected to return to Los Angeles as a precautionary
measure.
The aircraft made a routine landing at approximately 1345 PDT. There were
138 passengers and ten crew members. Safety of passengers and crew was never
compromised.
Consistent with heightened security awareness, local authorities
implemented stringent security measures. Air Canada will not provide comments
on details of security measures implemented by the authorities.
The unruly passenger and his travelling companion have been detained by
local authorities. All other passengers will be re-accommodated on later
flights.