An Air Canada flight was forced to return to the gate after passengers heard an airport ground handler shouting for help from the luggage hold. Flight AC1502, operated by Air Canada Rouge, was taxiing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on 13 December when passengers reported loud banging and shouting from beneath the cabin floor.
Passenger Gabrielle Caron told CBC that the noises prompted one person to call 911. Flight attendants were seen running back and forth as the aircraft prepared for takeoff to Moncton, New Brunswick. A video posted on X captured the pilot announcing the delay, explaining that the aircraft had to return to the gate to free the trapped worker.
The pilot confirmed the handler was “perfectly fine and safe” but noted a further delay to complete paperwork. The aircraft returned to the terminal, and the ground crew member was rescued without injury. Air Canada confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the cargo doors were inadvertently closed while a ground crew member was inside.
The airline added that an investigation is under way to determine how the handler became locked in the cargo hold. Air Canada stated it has reinforced procedures with ground crews to prevent a recurrence.
