Fort McMurray International Airport closed down a terminal last Friday, November 13, after a suspicious package was found, and the terminal stayed closed for about 8 hours as an investigation took place and security ensured that there were no current threats. Hundreds of people and passengers were evacuated after the suspicious package was located at the main terminal of the airport. The Wood Buffalo RCMP has said little about the details surrounding the terminal closing or the package that caused it. According to a statement made after the incident on Saturday by Wood Buffalo RCMP Constable Ashley Quallie “What we can say is there is no longer a threat and the airport is now open again.” A statement by the airport said that the package was “identified, isolated and secured, and is no longer a threat.”
The Wood Buffalo RCMP arrived at Fort McMurray International Airport at around 4:40 pm on 11/13 in response to a call about a suspicious package. By 5:20 pm the terminal evacuation was complete. The airport made arrangements for passenger transportation to Chateau Nova Hotel. The Explosive Device Unit of the RCMP had to brought n from Edmonton. Passenger and oilsands worker Neil Hogan described his experience and stated “We weren’t told what was going on. We were just told that we had to leave and it was procedure.” Fort McMurray International Airport spokesperson Joanne Meredith told the media that 5 flights and 265 passengers were affected by either delays or cancellations because of the terminal closing.