Bomb Threats: Two Air France Flights Diverted in the U.S.

Liz Sheld | 3:52 AM on November 18, 2015

Air France Flight 55 taxis to the terminal at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. The flight was on its way from Washington, D.C. to Paris when it made an emergency landing in Halifax after the airline received anonymous threats. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Two flights from France heading to the U.S. were diverted after anonymous bomb threats were made. Passengers and crew were taken off the planes.

Flight 65, an Airbus A-380 that departed from Los Angeles, landed safely in Salt Lake City, where passengers and crew were escorted into the terminal, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said. The Salt Lake Tribune, citing an airport official, said it was carrying 497 passengers and crew.

The FBI said there is no evidence “which would lend credibility to the threats.”

Another flight that departed from Dulles International Airport was diverted to Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia with 262 passengers and crew.

The Royal Mounted Police said there was no evidence of explosives after dogs searched the planes. No other details were disclosed.

Air France released a brief statement that said the flights had been the “subjects of anonymous threats received after their respective take-offs.”

“As a precautionary measure and to conduct all necessary security checks, Air France, applying the safety regulations in force, decided to request the landings of both aircraft.”

The airline also revealed that “an investigation will be led by the authorities to identify the source of the telephone call.”