WestJet Rallies to Restore 16 Aircraft to Full Service After Calgary Hailstorm

Thursday, August 15, 2024

After the hailstorm that struck Calgary on the evening of August 5, 2024, WestJet has announced it will continue with proactive cancellations for the foreseeable future. This decision comes as the airline works to safely return all 16 affected aircraft to service. The damage assessment has revealed that specialized equipment and materials are needed, and repairs and inspections will require several weeks.

“We share in Canadians’ frustration for the unpredictable nature of this summer travel season and are incredibly disappointed that the compounding impacts of last week’s hailstorm continue to disrupt the travel plans of our valued guests,” said Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer, WestJet Group. “Our dedicated Tech Ops teams have travelled from across our network to Calgary and Toronto where they are working around the clock to return our fleet to its full capacity. We thank everyone for their patience and support and are committed to doing everything in our power to minimize the impact on our guests and our people.”

To reduce disruptions, WestJet is proactively canceling flights throughout August. The airline aims to minimize inconvenience by securing reaccommodation options and providing timely updates to help guests manage their travel plans. Currently, WestJet is canceling an average of 50 flights per day but expects this number to decrease as aircraft are gradually returned to service.

In an effort to lessen the impact on passengers, WestJet is adding extra flights operated by WestJet Encore and its partner Canadian North. Additionally, WestJet is working with Boeing and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents WestJet’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, to secure additional resources and expedite the repair process.