National

WestJet says 10 per cent of fleet grounded after Calgary pummelled by hail

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Aug, 2024 12:34 PM

WestJet says 16 of its planes have been grounded after a massive hailstorm hit Calgary earlier this week.

The Calgary-based airline says those aircraft — 10 per cent of its fleet — need substantial repairs and inspections before they can fly again.

The carrier also says 84 of its flights were cancelled Wednesday, with 106 cancelled Tuesday and 58 on Monday.

Following the hailstorm that impacted Calgary on August 5, @WestJet teams are working diligently to perform necessary inspections and repairs to our fleet. Guests are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport.https://t.co/kW9cZw5eki
— WestJet News (@WestJetNews) August 7, 2024

The Calgary International Airport was pummeled by hail on Monday evening, forcing parts of its domestic terminal to close for repairs for an undetermined time.

We continue to work to minimize impacts from Monday's #abstorm. Our adjusted operation is ready to support our airline partners’ full commercial schedule. Please check with your airline for flight updates. https://t.co/qX9O1jqP9I
— YYC (@FlyYYC) August 7, 2024

A video taken by one traveller shows water pouring from the ceiling by a boarding gate, with chunks of what appear to be tile crashing to the ground.

A spokeswoman for Air Canada says its Calgary operations have returned to normal and it was able to schedule its largest planes to transport stranded passengers.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Cyclist killed in hit and run

Mounties say they're searching for a suspect after a cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Vancouver Island. The Comox Valley R-C-M-P say a passerby found the injured male cyclist late last night near a road in Courtenay, and called 9-1-1, but the cyclist later died in hospital.

Cyclist killed in hit and run

Vancouver Chinatown's Lunar New Year parade bars two progressive, LGBTQ+ groups

Two progressive and LGBTQ+ groups have been rejected from Vancouver's Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown this weekend, with march organizers telling one that it was due to a ban on "political activism." Sunday's Spring Festival Parade in Vancouver is celebrating its 50th anniversary and marks the year of the dragon, which starts on Saturday.

Vancouver Chinatown's Lunar New Year parade bars two progressive, LGBTQ+ groups

BoC expected to take its time with interest rate cuts after January's job gain

The Bank of Canada will be in no rush to cut interest rates after Statistics Canada reported a larger-than-expected employment gain last month, economists say. The federal agency's labour force survey released Friday said the economy added 37,000 jobs in January after several months of relatively no change in employment. Canada’s unemployment rate fell to 5.7 per cent last month, marking the first decline since December 2022.

BoC expected to take its time with interest rate cuts after January's job gain

Trudeau says he's furious over Bell Media layoffs, calling it a 'garbage decision'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trash-talking BCE Inc.'s widespread layoffs, calling the cuts a "garbage decision." Trudeau says he's furious over Bell Media's decision to end multiple television newscasts and that the corporation should know better.

Trudeau says he's furious over Bell Media layoffs, calling it a 'garbage decision'

Bear spray sold illegally: VPD

An undercover operation led by Vancouver police has resulted in 20-thousand-dollars in fines against 10 different businesses that illegally sold bear spray. Vancouver bylaw restricts where bear spray can be displayed in stores, limiting sale of the product to people over age 19 and requiring stores to keep sales records.

Bear spray sold illegally: VPD

Poilievre pledges to fix broken access-to-information system, release more faster

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pledging to fix the federal access-to-information system to speed up response times and release more information. He made the commitment during a news conference in Vancouver on Thursday, where the Opposition leader announced a new revenue plan for First Nations alongside leaders in the region.