Air Canada flight diverted after engine malfunction

MONTREAL – Air Canada says a flight bound for London, England, had to be diverted to Montreal early today after an engine malfunction.

Flight 860 was carrying 138 passengers when it departed Halifax around midnight.

In an email, airline spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur says about 35 minutes into the flight, the aircraft’s left engine experienced a malfunction that caused a loud noise.

Arthur did not elaborate on the problem, but says there’s no indication there was a fire.

She says the pilots shut the engine down and made plans to land at the nearest airport.

When the plane couldn’t land in Halifax because of a thunder and lightning storm, it was re-routed to Montreal where Arthur says it landed safely.