WestJet Flight 2154 from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta arrived safely Saturday afternoon after Flightradar24.com reported an unusual transmission code was sent indicating the airplane had been hijacked.
Shortly after 6:30 PM EST, when Flightradar24.com received the code, a surge of panic swept across Twitter and other social networks reporting Flight 2154 had been hijacked.
WestJet, based in Calgary, said in a Twitter post that “contrary to Internet rumor, air traffic control has confirmed #WS2154 is ‘squawking’ standard transponder code, not 7500.” The 7500 code indicates a hijacking. Flight 2154 originated in Vancouver.
“Captain confirms by phone that #WS2154 has arrived safely at its destination,” the airline said in another post. “The crew did not squawk ‘7500’ as reported.”
The scare was taken seriously with the ongoing issue in Paris and terrorist attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which prompted an increase in the threat alert in Europe and the US.
Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority reported no unusual activity or reports of any distress signals from the airline.
I hate racist ppl that live in Mexico !
I didn’t know weight and/or nationality was an issue with being drunk, flight prices or your life being at risk Susan J. Kellock. REALLY ???
I haven’t left yet I flew in one way!
Well please hurry up and leave Mexico. Thank you!
They loaded a 400 pound drunk Mexican in Vancouver and put everyone’s life at risk! Cheap flights poor service and nightmare experience’s are not worth it to me! I value my life more than they do!
What airline do you use from YVR to. PVR?
I work in the airport … And believe me… They load heavier Americans and Canadians then 400 lbs that are also not sober, rude and little smart…. And I ask you to choose ur words cus not even the ppl I talk about put the plane in danger at any time… This just talks about ur poor brain and knowledge about procedures of airlines … Without mentioning it sounds really racist!
Susan: experiences, not experience’s ….
They loaded a 400 pound drunk Mexican in Vancouver and put everyone’s life at risk! Cheap flights poor service and nightmare experience’s are not worth it to me! I value my life more than they do!
What airline do you use from YVR to. PVR?
Nothing more than internet rumor.
No one’s even willing to admit the code was sent at all.
Twitter is a great new way for that Lie to get dressed quicker than ever!