A WestJet flight bound for Edmonton International Airport in Canada experienced a significant hiccup shortly after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport on Monday evening.
KTNV reported that the flight crew noted a possible issue with an engine, leading to the decision to return to the Las Vegas airport approximately an hour into their flight.
The incident, involving the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, occurred around 9:45 p.m., with Federal Aviation Administration confirming both the incident and their ongoing investigation into the matter.
Flight 1449, as confirmed by the real-time tracking service FlightAware cited by FOX5 Vegas, departed around 8:35 p.m., with the unscheduled turnaround cutting flight 1449’s journey short.
Following the safe landing back at Harry Reid International Airport, the aircraft was taken out of service for a full maintenance inspection.
WestJet, in attempt to reassure customers and the public alike, has issued an apology for the inconvenience inflicted upon its passengers due to the disruption.
“We are sincerely sorry for the delay this has caused our guests,” a WestJet spokesperson stated in interviews with both KTNV and FOX5 Vegas. WestJet emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, adding, “WestJet has full confidence in the safety of our fleet and our industry-leading safety standards.”
The re-scheduled flight is expected to reach its destination in Edmonton by tomorrow midnight, July 10, as per the latest updates. While the precise cause of the engine issue has not been disclosed, the FAA continues to delve into the details of the incident as part of its standard investigatory procedures. No injuries or further disruptions have been reported in connection to the Monday night incident, and passengers are slated to resume their travel with minimal additional delay.