A WestJet flight from Liberia to Toronto was cancelled due to an unexpected sinkhole on the runway, leaving passengers stranded in Costa Rica overnight. The airline offered minimal assistance, according to the stranded passengers.
A WestJet flight from Liberia airport to Toronto on Saturday night was delayed for five hours and then cancelled due to a surprise sinkhole on the runway. The passengers, including the Sachs family, were forced to find their own accommodations in Costa Rica overnight, spending about $1,500 on a resort. WestJet added a recovery flight on Sunday, allowing the Sachs' to come home. They arrived in Ottawa at 5 a.m. Monday.
The travel nightmare began when their departing flight experienced a 'passport verification issue' and were forced to wait on the tarmac in Liberia. After that was resolved, an issue on the runway caused the flight to be cancelled altogether. In a statement, WestJet confirmed the runway was closed due to 'unforeseen damage' and 'required the flight to return to the gate.' The family says they were left in the country with no help from the airline for accommodations or transport. AirTransat confirmed to CTV News that one of its Toronto to Libera flights was diverted to San Jose after the unexpected closure of the runway. It says its passengers were accommodated in nearby hotels or made alternative arrangements. WestJet issued an apology in a statement to CTV News, but the family says they have not received any personal updates from the company. The family adds they are still in contact with many people from their flight that are stuck in the Liberia airport, some of whom have been sleeping on the floor since Saturday night. 'Nobody got an apology,' Margarita Sachs said. 'We have a group of passengers on a WhatsApp group and just kind of checking in with each other and nobody was apologized to at all.
WESTJET FLIGHT DELAY SINKHOLE RUNWAY STRANDED PASSPORT ACCOMMODATIONS
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WestJet Flight Cancelled Due to Sinkhole, Passengers Left Stranded in Costa RicaA WestJet flight from Liberia to Toronto was unexpectedly cancelled after a sinkhole appeared on the runway. Passengers were left to fend for themselves, with some spending over $1,500 on accommodations and others forced to sleep on the floor.
Read more »
WestJet Flight Cancelled, Leaving Passengers Stranded in Costa RicaA WestJet flight from Liberia, Costa Rica to Toronto was cancelled after sitting on the tarmac for five hours due to a series of issues, stranding over 100 passengers, including Ottawa residents.
Read more »
WestJet Passenger Awarded $10,192.72 in Damages for Missed FlightA WestJet passenger, Paul David Reshaur, was awarded $10,192.72 in damages after a civil resolution tribunal ruled in his favor for a missed flight due to airline delays. Reshaur sought compensation for expenses incurred, including hotel costs, dog food, and damages related to the delayed unloading of his pet.
Read more »
Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelledVANCOUVER — A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour.
Read more »
Prince George Swift fans rent car to attend concert after flight to Vancouver cancelledA flight cancellation forced a diehard group of Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour.
Read more »
Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelledAn airport employee told a passenger that the cancelled flight had '90 per cent Swifties' on it and other hardcore fans were easy to spot in their merchandise.
Read more »