WestJet is working to return 16 aircraft to serviceability after they were significantly damaged by a hailstorm in Calgary on August 5, leading to proactive flight cancellations
Dedicated Tech Ops teams are working in Calgary and Toronto Pearson to repair the affected aircraft and return the fleet to full capacity
WestJet’s fleet comprises 182 aircraft, including various B737 and DHC-8-Q400 models, with seven B737-800s, three B737-700s, two B737-8s, and four DHC-8-Q400s currently inactive due to the hailstorm damage
During the storm, 22 WestJet aircraft were on the ground, with four moved to a hangar for protection and nine incoming planes diverted, while two were cleared with minor damage after the storm passed; the severity of the hailstorm was realized less than 30 minutes before impact. The damaged aircraft were:
- C-FBWI (msn 39090) B737-800;
- C-GWSX (msn 36696) B737-800, currently in Toronto;
- C-GWJT (msn 40388) B737-700;
- C-FWEW (msn 4543) DHC-8-Q400;
- C-GWBU (msn 39075) B737-800;
- C-GYWJ (msn 32772) B737-800;
- C-GDEW (msn 4563) DHC-8-Q400;
- C-GENU (msn 4511) DHC-8-Q400;
- C-GYSD (msn 40837) B737-800, currently in Toronto;
- C-GYLP (msn 42844) B737-8;
- C-GWSV (msn 37158) B737-800;
- C-GOCD (msn 40832) B737-800;
- C-GWEJ (msn 4557) DHC-8-Q400;
- C-GWCN (msn 34157) B737-700;
- C-FWSV (msn 32760) B737-700; and
- C-GFVX ¨(msn 44314) B737-8.
