WestJet recently grounded around 10% of its fleet—16 aircraft—due to severe damage caused by a powerful hailstorm in Calgary on August 5, 2024. The storm, which struck Calgary International Airport (YYC), brought heavy rain, strong winds, and hail the size of golf balls, significantly affecting the airline’s operations.
The grounded planes include a range of models like Boeing 737s and Dash 8 Q400s. WestJet has announced widespread flight cancellations across its network as it deals with the reduced capacity, with over 240 flights canceled since the storm. The airline is working on repairing the damaged planes, while offering flexible rebooking and cancellation options for affected passengers
WestJet was forced to ground 16 aircraft, amounting to 10% of its fleet, after a massive hailstorm on August 5, 2024, caused extensive damage at Calgary International Airport. The storm, which delivered baseball-sized hail, severely affected the Calgary area and led to significant disruptions at the airport. Portions of the terminal were damaged, and the airline reported that its grounded planes required substantial inspections and repairs before they could return to service.
In total, 248 flights were canceled across the network as of August 7, with the largest disruptions occurring in the days immediately following the storm. WestJet is offering passengers flexible rebooking options and waivers to help manage the travel chaos. The damage also affected other airlines like Air Canada, although WestJet bore the brunt of the impact given its extensive operations in Calgary.