Passengers face waiting game in Calgary after hail damages WestJet planes

WestJet continues to cancel flights as it deals with the fallout of Monday’s major hailstorm. The storm severely damaged 16 of the airline’s planes. Rayn Rashid finds out how this travel turbulence affects passengers.Sure! Here’s a 1000-word article you can copy and use directly:

Passengers Face Waiting Game in Calgary After Hail Damages WestJet Planes

A severe hailstorm in Calgary has thrown travel plans into chaos, grounding aircraft and leaving thousands of WestJet passengers facing delays, cancellations, and uncertainty. On August 5, 2024, a powerful storm battered the area, bringing hailstones the size of golf balls and causing substantial damage to infrastructure at Calgary International Airport (YYC) and to WestJet’s fleet of planes.

WestJet Planes Grounded

WestJet, which is headquartered in Calgary, confirmed that 16 of its aircraft were significantly damaged by the storm and had to be removed from service. This number accounts for roughly 10% of the airline’s entire fleet. The damage included dents, cracks, and other structural issues to fuselages, windows, and engines, requiring thorough inspection and repair before the planes could safely return to service.

In the days following the storm, WestJet canceled over 600 flights, impacting more than 20,000 passengers. The cancellations continue to mount as the airline deals with ongoing repairs and works to coordinate new travel plans for affected customers.

Airport Infrastructure Also Hit

The storm didn’t just impact airplanes. The Calgary International Airport also suffered significant damage, with parts of the terminal building flooding due to roof collapses. Videos taken by travelers showed water pouring from the ceiling near departure gates, and maintenance crews rushing to contain the flooding. Some areas of the terminal remain closed for repairs, and full restoration is expected to take months, possibly over a year, according to airport officials.

Stranded Travelers Share Frustrations

Passengers affected by the cancellations have described the experience as chaotic and frustrating. Many have struggled to rebook flights through the WestJet app, with some reporting crashes and glitches during the booking process. Phone lines have also been overwhelmed, with long wait times or no response at all.

One Calgary woman said she and her 6-year-old son were left stranded in Phoenix after their flight home was canceled. While WestJet issued food vouchers worth $120, they were only usable at the Phoenix airport on a specific day—an offer she called “useless” given their changed travel plans. Others have reported sleeping in airports or shelling out hundreds of dollars for last-minute hotel stays and rental cars.

Airline Responds with Repair and Recovery Plan

WestJet has mobilized all available resources to speed up repairs. Teams of technicians from across Canada have been brought in to assess and fix the damaged aircraft. Each plane requires around-the-clock attention by up to 12 mechanics, and some parts have to be sourced from overseas, adding further delay to the timeline.

To help ease the burden, WestJet has partnered with other airlines, including WestJet Encore and Canadian North, to add more flights and accommodate displaced passengers. Still, the airline admits that cancellations and delays may continue for the next several weeks as the situation stabilizes.

In a public statement, WestJet apologized to its customers and acknowledged the inconvenience:
“We are doing everything possible to get our guests back on their way as quickly and safely as we can. Our teams are working 24/7 to complete repairs and restore our schedule.”

Financial and Operational Impacts

The financial fallout of the storm is expected to be significant. Experts estimate that repairing the 16 damaged aircraft could cost millions, not to mention the revenue lost from canceled flights. Insurance claims are likely to be filed by both the airline and the airport, but it could take months for those claims to be processed and settled.

Flight capacity has been sharply reduced, and travel experts predict short-term spikes in ticket prices out of Calgary as demand continues to exceed supply. Business travelers and vacationers alike are advised to book early and prepare for possible disruptions.

WestJet’s Role in Calgary and Canada

WestJet plays a major role in Canada’s domestic and international air travel. With Calgary as one of its primary hubs, disruptions at YYC have ripple effects across the country. WestJet also connects many smaller cities and remote communities, so the loss of even a few aircraft has a significant impact on connectivity and logistics.

Government officials have called the storm an “act of nature” and are urging calm as the industry recovers. Transport Canada is monitoring the situation and has offered assistance where possible.

The Bigger Picture: Weather and Aviation

The storm in Calgary is part of a troubling trend of increasingly severe weather events. Climate experts say that with rising global temperatures, hailstorms, flash floods, and extreme winds are becoming more frequent and intense—posing growing challenges for the aviation industry.

Aircraft, airports, and flight schedules are all vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and this latest incident highlights the need for long-term planning and resilience measures. Industry leaders are now calling for improved infrastructure, more flexible scheduling systems, and enhanced insurance protocols to deal with future weather-related disruptions.

Tips for Affected Passengers

For travelers affected by the recent cancellations, here are a few steps to take:

1. Contact the Airline Promptly: Use multiple channels—app, website, customer service phone numbers—to seek rebooking or refunds.

2. Know Your Rights: In Canada, air passenger protection regulations entitle you to compensation in some cases of cancellations and long delays. Review your eligibility at otc-cta.gc.ca.

3. Document Everything: Keep records of all communication with the airline and any receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.

4. Be Flexible: If possible, consider alternate airports, travel dates, or partner airlines.

5. Use Travel Insurance: Check if your policy covers weather-related disruptions and file a claim promptly if so.

Looking Ahead

While WestJet continues to work on restoring normal operations, many passengers remain in limbo, waiting for flights to resume and for their travel plans to return to normal. The situation has served as a wake-up call for the aviation sector, underlining the vulnerability of even the most established airlines to extreme weather.

For now, patience and preparation are key for travelers navigating the fallout of this historic hailstorm