Fighter jets escort Cuba-bound Canadian jet back to Canada

WASHINGTON: The North American Aerospace Defence Command scrambled two CF-18 fighter jets out of Quebec Wednesday to escort Sunwing Flight 656 back to Toronto after a "passenger disturbance," a spokeswoman said.

Referring to the Canada to Cuba flight, NORAD spokeswoman Major Julie Roberge told AFP: "in fact, the pilot decided over South Carolina, because of a passenger disturbance, to head back to Toronto" where the plane arrived at 8:33 pm (0033 GMT Thursday).

Roberge could not say how many passengers were involved or if arrests had been made. Social media reports from passengers however said two passengers apparently were involved.

"Once the aircraft was safely on the ground, the Canadian fighters returned to their home base," a NORAD statement added.

NORAD is the joint Canadian and American command in charge of maritime warning, aerospace warning and aerospace control for the neighbouring nations.