WestJet flight diverted to Regina after smoke detected in cockpit

A WestJet737bound for Ottawa from Calgary was forced to land in Regina Saturday morning, prompting a response from fire, EMS and police.

According to Dick Graham, CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, Flight #610 reported an emergency and landed in Regina at 11:14 a.m. CST.

There were 128 passengers and five crew members on board. Graham said everyone got off the plane safely.

WestJet officials said crew members detected smoke in the cockpit and made the decisionto land the plane at the YQR airport.

They added passengers were being transferred to other flightssincethe 737 was being taken out of service for an inspection by maintenance crews.

"Whenever an emergency occurs, we very quickly begin our emergency procedures," Graham said. "That response was enacted very well."

He said emergency crews basedat the airport and from the cityarrived at thescene, including paramedics, police and firefighters.

"There wasn't need for any of them, everything is in good shape now," Graham said. "The passengers are being fed and [the] next steps are up to WestJet."

Regina police said city emergency crews provided support to the airport's fire department, noting in a statement Saturday afternoon that "the cause was determined to be a mechanical issue that was quickly handled by the airport".