On 5 August a severe hailstorm passed through Calgary, damaging nearly two dozen aircraft at Calgary International Airport. Among those damaged were 16 WestJet aircraft that were at the airport at the time. While WestJet hasn’t confirmed which specific aircraft were damaged by the hail storm, Flightradar24 data indicates which aircraft have not flown since the storm.
Which aircraft were damaged?
Flightradar24 data indicates 20 possible aircraft that were on the ground in Calgary at the time of the storm. WestJet states that 16 aircraft suffered damage significant enough to require inspection and repair.
| Registration | Aircraft type | Status (16 Aug) |
|---|---|---|
| C-FBWI | Boeing 737-8CT | In Calgary |
| C-FWEW | De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | In Calgary |
| C-FWSV | Boeing 737-7CT | In Calgary |
| C-GDEW | De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | In Calgary |
| C-GENU | De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | In Calgary |
| C-GFJM | Boeing 737-8 MAX | In Calgary |
| C-GFVN | Boeing 737-8 MAX | In Calgary |
| C-GFVX | Boeing 737-8 MAX | In Calgary |
| C-GOCD | Boeing 737-8CT | In Calgary |
| C-GPFT | Boeing 737-8 MAX | Returned to service 14 Aug |
| C-GWBU | Boeing 737-8CT | In Calgary |
| C-GWCN | Boeing 737-7CT | In Calgary |
| C-GWEJ | De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | In Calgary |
| C-GWJT | Boeing 737-7CT | In Calgary |
| C-GWSV | Boeing 737-8CT | In Calgary |
| C-GWSX | Boeing 737-8CT | Ferried to Toronto 14 Aug |
| C-GYLP | Boeing 737-8 MAX | In Calgary |
| C-GYSD | Boeing 737-8CT | Ferried to Toronto 10 Aug |
| C-GYWJ | Boeing 737-7CT | In Calgary |
How WestJet is returning aircraft to service
WestJet released a video this week detailing some of the inspection processes and repair options WestJet is pursuing to return its fleet to service. Measures included teams working 24 hours per day on inspection and repair and the hiring of outside Aircraft Maintenance Engineers to help complete the work.
Effects of the grounding
WestJet has canceled nearly 700 since the storm, mostly affecting flights via its hub in Calgary.
