On March 8, 2022, an Air Canada (ADH2) flight was grounded after some passengers allegedly received bomb threats via an Airdrop instant message.
Flight AC1297 from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to Montreal was still on the tarmac at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) when some passengers began receiving requests to accept an Airdrop message on their iPhones.
Airdrop is a function on iOS and macOS operating systems and phones that allows users to send files to each other while they are within close proximity.
Passengers began coming out of their seats while the plane sat on the tarmac, indicating anxiety as iPhones began pinging with demands for an Airdropped photo, according to a passenger on the trip who spoke to CTV News Montreal.
One of the messages, according to CTV News, included an image of a bomb.
The flight was then canceled, and passengers were given the option of taking another trip the next day.
After an examination, an Air Canada (ADH2) spokesman revealed to local media that there was a security threat aboard flight AC1297, however it was eventually ruled non-credible.
“Out of an abundance of caution, passengers and luggage were deplaned and re-screened,” Air Canada (ADH2) spokesperson Pascal Dery said.
“Because of the delays that resulted from this incident, the flight was canceled after the crew exceeded their duty time permitted by law. The affected customers are now back in Montreal.”
The incident was reported to Transport Canada by Air Canada (ADH2).
 flight was grounded after some passengers allegedly received bomb threats via an Airdrop instant message.){kind=link}