Photo: Twitter

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

RCMP are working alongside Kelowna International Airport officials as police investigate this afternoon's suspicious item scare at YLW.

The aircraft did not have passengers on board at the time.

RCMP were notified of a suspicious occurrence on board a plane being prepared for departure about 2:15 p.m. Police were told that crews located a suspicious item on board.

“Airport officials evacuated the aircraft as a precaution and called in emergency crews,” says RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Although police do not believe the item poses a threat, RCMP plan to conduct a precautionary search of the aircraft to ensure public safety.”

YLW officials say airport operations are not being impacted by the police investigation.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.

Emergency crews have now been ordered to stand down after a bomb threat aboard a WestJet plane at Kelowna Airport has been deemed non-credible.
 
The incident happened just after 2 p.m. Monday afternoon when YLW was notified of a possible suspicious item on board a WestJet aircraft.

YLW communications advisor Jessica Hewitt, tells Castanet: "As a safety precaution, emergency crews were dispatched to respond to the incident. The threat was deemed non-credible, and normal operations of the airport have resumed."

ORIGINAL 2:20 p.m.

Emergency crews are responding to a reported bomb threat aboard a WestJet plane on the tarmac at Kelowna International Airport as of 2:15 p.m. Monday.

Kelowna fire crews are responding to the Code 3 alarm.

Castanet has reached out to YLW for more information and will update this story as soon as it becomes available.