Kelowna

There were some tense moments for Emergency Services personnel in Kelowna Saturday morning when word was received that a plane loaded with passengers was coming in for an emergency landing at Kelowna airport.

File photo: Kelly Hayes

At approximately 7:35 am. June 16, a WestJet 737-700 aircraft out of Vancouver and bound for Edmonton declared an emergency and was diverted to Kelowna airport

"It was en-route when they (the pilots) noticed the issue, so as a safety precaution they diverted," says airport spokesperson Jenelle Hynes.

Because it was a passenger jet, the response was swift, with the Airport Aircraft Rescue Firefighters on standby along with the Kelowna, Lake Country and Ellison Fire Departments, plus BC Ambulance and RCMP.

Compounding the concern was heavy cloud and rain falling in the area.

Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely at 8:07 a.m. and everyone on board was fine.

"The passengers will be re-booked on a new flight to their destination and the aircraft will be inspected by maintenance to determine the issue," says Hynes.