WestJet (WS, Calgary) is working to return 16 aircraft to serviceability after they were significantly damaged during a hailstorm that hit Calgary on the evening of August 5, the company announced in a statement.
Given the unforeseen grounding of almost 10% of its fleet, the Canadian carrier has had to proactively cancel multiple flights while the affected aircraft undergo repair.
“Our dedicated Tech Ops teams have travelled from across our network to Calgary and Toronto Pearson where they are working around the clock to return our fleet to its full capacity," Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of parent WestJet Group, said.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows WestJet’s fleet comprises 182 aircraft, including thirty-nine B737-700s, thirty-nine B737-8s, forty-six B737-800s, four B737-800(BCF)s, seven B787-9s, and forty-seven DHC-8-Q400s (operated by subsidiary WestJet Encore). ADS-B data shows that the WestJet currently has inactive seven B737-800s, three B737-700s, two B737-8s, and four DHC-8-Q400s. Their registrations are:
- 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.
At the time of the hailstorm, 22 Westjet aircraft were on the ground, of which four were moved into a hangar for protection. Nine incoming planes were diverted to other airports. Once the storm had passed, two jets were cleared with minor damage.
Diederik Pen said that the severity and direction of the thunderstorm and hail became clear less than 30 minutes before impact.
