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

BC gets 5 new Indigenous Justice Centres

Premier David Eby says five new Indigenous Justice Centres set up in B-C over the past year will help make the legal system work better for Indigenous people. Eby says a total of nine centres across the province will connect more people with culturally safe legal supports and services.

BC gets 5 new Indigenous Justice Centres

RCMP looking for erratic driver

The R-C-M-P say they are trying to find a 24-year-old man suspected of driving dangerously through Surrey’s streets during peak traffic hours. Police say officers conducted a traffic stop on a 2017 white Range Rover on September 7th for dangerous driving.

RCMP looking for erratic driver

Facebook lawsuit settling fee $51M

Meta is offering $51 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in four Canadian provinces over the use of some users' images in Facebook advertising. The legal action filed by a B.C. woman claimed her image and those of others were used without their knowledge in Facebook's "sponsored stories" advertising program, which is no longer in operation.

Facebook lawsuit settling fee $51M

Cold warnings cover much of the West, chilling even the sturdiest Canadians

Environment Canada's warnings extend into the normally temperate Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria regions. It said the combination of gusts reaching 60 kilometres an hour and cold temperatures will push wind chill values in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria to near -20. The agency warned that temperatures that cold can bring frostbite, and hypothermia can occur within minutes if precautions are not taken when outdoors.

Cold warnings cover much of the West, chilling even the sturdiest Canadians

B.C. police agencies tout rollout of body worn cameras

Police agencies in British Columbia say the introduction of body cameras will improve transparency and lead to more timely resolution of complaints against officers. The B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and representatives from several departments gathered at RCMP headquarters in Surrey to tout the introduction of the cameras, soon to be worn by thousands of officers in the province and across Canada.