Regular operations resume at Ottawa International Airport after ‘security incident’

A bomb scare targeting NAV Canada facilities in six Canadian cities, caused delays at the Ottawa Airport on Thursday. CTV’s Stefan Keyes has more.

Regular operations are resuming at the Ottawa International Airport after bomb threats targeting NAV Canada facilities in Ottawa and across the country disrupted flights Thursday morning.

The Ottawa International Airport said it was investigating a “security incident” at the airport in Ottawa’s south end at 8:10 a.m. and warned that operations may be disrupted.  

NAV Canada said bomb threats affected facilities in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver and a temporary ground stop had been implemented.

The Ottawa International Airport’s website showed 43 flights have been delayed today and two flights were cancelled. No flights departed the Ottawa International Airport between 7:25 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to the website.

Officials at the Ottawa Airport said it was not in a “full ground stop” and some operations proceeded as planned.

At 10:30 a.m., the Ottawa Airport said on social media, “the security investigation at YOW has safely concluded and regular operations are resuming. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

The Ottawa Police Service had said it was working with the Ottawa International Airport to “investigate a security incident,” but provided no other information.

The FAA issued brief ground stops at the Ottawa International Airport and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport this morning. The FAA told CTV News Ottawa the ground stops were lifted around 7:40 a.m.

NAV Canada said it was made aware of bomb threats affecting facilities in six Canadian cities early this morning.

“Employees at impacted locations are safe, and a temporary ground stop has been implemented at the affected airports,” NAV Canada said on X.

“We are collaborating with authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of all personnel and passengers. Travellers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest updates, as delays may occur.”

In an update at 9:20 a.m., NAV Canada said service was “gradually resuming at affected sites” following the evacuation of its sites and “subsequent threat assessment by authorities.”

Austin arrived at the Ottawa International Airport for a flight to Vancouver Thursday morning when he was told his flight had been cancelled.

“It’s empty here today, and I didn’t see anything un-normal happening,” Austin told CTV News.

“They’re supposed to keep it chill; you don’t want a stampede going to the door.”

Kim Taylor’s flight to Vancouver was cancelled Thursday morning. He described the scene at the airport Thursday morning.

“Everybody was just sitting down. We didn’t know what was going on. It was only because I got a text from a friend of mine who said there was bomb threats in Montreal and Ottawa. When we got cancelled, we found out we were cancelled.”

With files from CTV News Montreal