Canadian fighters shadow passenger jet to New York
Canadian fighters have shadowed a New York-bound Air India jetliner over the Atlantic Ocean after authorities found a suspicious passenger was aboard.
The commercial plane, flying from London to New York, will be allowed to land at John F Kennedy International Airport.
US fighters are expected to escort the plane once it enters US airspace.
It is not clear what caused the concern about the passenger, but the officials said Federal Aviation Administration authorities have spoken to members of the Air India crew, who are in a reinforced cockpit and indicated they are not alarmed.
The jet is being shadowed from a distance, not escorted, so the passengers would not see the Canadian fighters.
The North American Air Defence Command - NORAD - is monitoring an Air India flight from London to JFK, NORAD spokesman Major Barry Venable said.
FBI spokesman Joseph Valiquette said federal agents will meet the flight at JFK, but declined to comment further.
Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the FAA's New York regional office, said Air India Flight 101 was due in at JFK at 2150 GMT.
Story filed: 20:27 Thursday 28th February 2002
Canadian fighters have shadowed a New York-bound Air India jetliner over the Atlantic Ocean after authorities found a suspicious passenger was aboard.
The commercial plane, flying from London to New York, will be allowed to land at John F Kennedy International Airport.
US fighters are expected to escort the plane once it enters US airspace.
It is not clear what caused the concern about the passenger, but the officials said Federal Aviation Administration authorities have spoken to members of the Air India crew, who are in a reinforced cockpit and indicated they are not alarmed.
The jet is being shadowed from a distance, not escorted, so the passengers would not see the Canadian fighters.
The North American Air Defence Command - NORAD - is monitoring an Air India flight from London to JFK, NORAD spokesman Major Barry Venable said.
FBI spokesman Joseph Valiquette said federal agents will meet the flight at JFK, but declined to comment further.
Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the FAA's New York regional office, said Air India Flight 101 was due in at JFK at 2150 GMT.
Story filed: 20:27 Thursday 28th February 2002
