The airport in British Columbia was closed to flights for 6 hours Tuesday as police investigated an incendiary device found in a passenger's luggage.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to Victoria International Airport in Canada yesterday after a suspicious item was discovered in the luggage of an outbound passenger. Officials confirmed the object, which resembled an incendiary device, was identified during a routine security scan.
The discovery was made in the departures check-in area of the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) by Canadian Air Transport Security Authority staff, who immediately closed off the area and requested police backup at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Corporal Andres Sanchez, the spokesperson for Sidney/North Saanich Royal Canadian Mounted Police, denied previous reports that the item was a replica of a gun, confirming instead:
"There was an item that resembled an incendiary device within the bag. So out of an abundance of caution, again, police shut down the airport wing to ensure it was a safe situation before allowing passengers to travel in the future."
A departing passenger brought the suspicious items into the airport, where they were discovered during the standard security checks at the departure check-in area. The items were flagged on the x-ray machines and appeared to be a pair of inert hand grenades and other surplus military gear in the passenger's checked luggage.
Police and specialized units from the Lower Mainland were then called in to inspect the item, causing a shut down of several hours as specialized tactical teams made their way from Vancouver several hours to the north. Geoff Dickson, Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) President and CEO, highlighted the safe handling of the situation:
“As always, the security and safety of our staff and visitors is our priority, said. The RCMP determined that there was potential risk to airport staff and passengers and directed that parts of the air terminal building close.”
The airport closure resulted in the cancellation of approximately 20 scheduled flights from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Flights initially bound for the airport were redirected to surrounding areas before passenger service resumed later in the evening.
Two WestJet flights from Vancouver and Calgary landed later in the evening, along with an Air Canada Express flight, also from Vancouver. A representative from WestJet confirmed to Simple Flying that all guests impacted by the listed cancellations were proactively notified and reaccommodated. Local police are pursuing a charge of mischief against the airline passenger, who has been released from police custody while the investigation continues.
"Throughout the incident, we cooperated fully with the authorities and emergency response crews and any other personnel that assisted the RCMP," a spokesperson for Victoria Airport Authority continued. "We are thankful for the teamwork shown by the RCMP, the YYJ emergency response teams and our mutual aid partners in Sidney and North Saanich."
The airport, which serves British Columbia's capital, also recently welcomed startup Lynx Air which launched flights from Victoria to Calgary International Airport. The service will operate twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday before adding a third weekly frequency on Wednesdays from June 29th.
The Vancouver Island airport also recently underwent a significant expansion project. The resulting extended taxiway was so long that it was partially obstructed from view by the air traffic control tower. It was rendered inoperable for months until the airport could install a CCTV system in advance of the actual tower being relocated.
Journalist - Jonathan served as an International Air Cadet Exchange Ambassador to Canada, and was stationed at RAF Lakenheath as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S Air Force. With a passion for discovering new destinations, he has visited over 70 countries from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Jonathan holds honors degrees in both Nursing and European Studies. Based in Essex, England