Flair flight grounded, YKF locked down due to bomb threat

By Skies Magazine | December 13, 2021

Flair Airlines Flight 500 was grounded at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) due to a bomb threat. The Waterloo Regional Police received a call at around 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 about a bomb threat on a Flair Boeing 737 Max 8, scheduled to depart from YKF for Vancouver International (YVR) at 2:10 p.m. Police said a passenger “reported to staff that another passenger threatened that he had a bomb on the plane.” The aircraft was evacuated.

Police provided an update in a media release on Dec. 14, saying they have arrested and charged a 28-year-old Mississauga male. The male was charged with Uttering Threats to Cause Death and Mischief – Interfere with Operation of Property. 

Police said members of its Explosives Disposal Unit were brought on scene to determine if an explosive device was on the aircraft.

In a tweet shared by Flair Airlines on Dec. 13 at around 5:30 p.m., the airline said it is “addressing a passenger-related serious safety concern that required a full search of the aircraft on Flight F8 500. . . . All passengers have been safely deplaned as a precaution. Safety is our number one priority as we continue to gather details on today’s events. Authorities and Flair officials are currently investigating.”

Ultimately, there were no explosives found on the plane following an extensive search.

At press time on Dec. 13, YKF was in lockdown, and the flow of vehicles entering and leaving the airport were shut down. Flair Flight 500 had still not departed as of 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

The airport confirmed at 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 14 that operations “have resumed following an investigation by Waterloo Regional Police Services yesterday afternoon and evening.”