Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended holiday in India just got extended a little longer, after the aircraft sent by the RCAF to bring home the prime ministerial party was diverted from Rome, to Stanstead in Great Britain.. Trudeau’s diverted flightPrime Minister Trudeau’s relief flight was mysteriously diverted Monday over the Atlantic. .The PM's troubles started after Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris broke down on the tarmac in Delhi following the conclusion of the G20 summit this weekend. Trudeau and his delegation's planned departure was then pushed forward from Sunday to Tuesday while the jet was repaired..Then, the RCAF dispatched flight CFC4130 using a similar CC-150 — one of only five made — to pick up the delegation. The flight was to go via Rome for a refuelling stop but according to Flightradar24, has now been diverted to Stansted in Great Britain..A statement from Trudeau’s office confirmed to his delegation that the 1980s vintage Airbus “was experiencing technical difficulties” and they would be staying in India “until alternative arrangements are made.”.The Western Standard tried to confirm with the PMO’s office that the make-up flight had indeed been diverted but has yet to receive a response. It is not immediately apparent as to why it would have been..The ageing aircraft was to be retired and this will likely be its final flight. Replacements arrived in Ottawa on August 31 but were not ready for the summit..The CC-150 is a reconverted Airbus A310, originally built for the now defunct Wardair in 1987. Only five exist, and were sold to the Canadian government when it merged with Calgary-based Canadian Airlines in 1989..Four of the five jets were converted to freighters and mid-air refuelling units, while the fifth — Trudeau’s — was modified for VIP transport for government executive service..It was also used to evacuate Canadian diplomats from Afghanistan in 2021..It caps off what was reportedly a difficult summit for the prime minister, who failed to get agreement on wording for a statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. .Relations with host Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also reportedly tense after the Indian government issued a statement of its own condemning Canada for “activities of extremist elements” supporting Sikh separatism..It came in response to comments from Trudeau who confirmed to reporters that he had brought up the issue of “foreign election interference” by India in Canadian elections.
