The perception of threat by Canadian authorities was relatively short-lived,
Taplin said. The aircraft was intercepted at 1010 local -- approximately two
hours before it landed in Halifax. The Airbus was cleared by means of a
secret communication between the intercepting Canadian warplanes and the
inbound passenger flight.

When asked how the intercepting CF-18 pilots knew the pilot aboard the A340
was all right, one Virgin official told ABC News, "We have ways of knowing
he is OK, which we cannot let you know."

Once on the ground, the aircraft was boarded by black-clad members of a
local emergency response team to ensure there really was no trouble aboard
the flight. They interviewed both crew members and passengers.