Flights to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport were suspended on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, due to a bomb threat, disrupting travel plans and raising security concerns.
The disruption began after a “suspicious package” was identified following the landing of an aircraft, according to reports. Authorities initially escorted the plane with fighter jets as a precautionary measure. While the alert was ultimately determined to be unfounded, the incident triggered a significant response.
According to sources, two individuals traveling on the flights from Europe to Montréal were flagged for using fraudulent tickets and false names, prompting increased scrutiny. The situation led to the temporary closure of one of the airport’s runways to facilitate the security investigation.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed CF-18, F-16, and KC-135 aircraft to “monitor the situation until the aircraft in question landed safely,” as stated in a communication. Aéroports de Montréal deployed a canine unit specializing in explosives detection, which reacted to a passenger’s luggage, further escalating the response.
NAV CANADA implemented a “traffic management initiative” at the airport due to the “potential security situation.” The Sûreté du Québec also deployed personnel to the airport. The incident highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in airport security protocols, particularly as international travel resumes and increases.
As of Wednesday afternoon, authorities had returned operations to normal. The incident caused delays and cancellations for passengers, but no further details regarding the extent of the disruption were immediately available.
