Frustrated travelers expressed their dismay after being confined inside a passenger aircraft on the tarmac for an extensive period, as dense fog obstructed the flight's intended landing at its scheduled destination. According to a WestJet spokesperson, WestJet flight WS2695 was rerouted on Thursday morning during its journey from Cancun International Airport to Toronto Pearson Airport.
Unexpected Diversion and Extended Ground Delay
Severe fog conditions compelled the Boeing 737 jet to divert to the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) in Ontario at 1:17 AM local time. However, due to a lack of prior preparation by officials, passengers were stranded on the tarmac for approximately eight hours while necessary customs arrangements were organized. Since the flight was international, travelers remained onboard until customs personnel arrived, after which they were required to disembark for processing, reboard the aircraft, and finally depart for Toronto.
Passenger Accounts of the Prolonged Ordeal
Passengers eventually landed at 10:10 AM local time. Typically, the flight from Cancun to Toronto lasts about four hours, but those on WS2695 endured a grueling 14-hour experience. Individuals on the flight reported to Canadian news outlet CTV News that passengers chanted "let us off" as children cried during the wait.
Trevor Lester, a passenger, recounted to the outlet that the pilot announced the detour over the intercom as the flight approached Toronto. "We were approaching the Toronto airport, very foggy. And all of a sudden we're doing left and right turns and going around the airport," he added. Lester emphasized that the diversion was particularly challenging for families with children, stating, "In the middle of the night, they were crying. You know, we felt so much empathy for these kids."
Communication and Amenity Shortfalls
In a Facebook post, Lester criticized WestJet, describing their handling as "horrific" with minimal communication. Passengers informed CTV that they were not provided food while waiting on the tarmac, though water was accessible. Toronto was under a yellow advisory for fog on Thursday night, indicating a low-level alert for potentially hazardous weather conditions.
Airport Responses and Operational Challenges
Toronto Pearson Airport shared images on Thursday morning, noting a "foggy start to the day." Airport Duty Manager Michael Tomas explained that staff were operating under "reduced visibility operations" due to the fog and advised travelers to monitor their flight statuses closely. Both Toronto Pearson and YKF directed inquiries to WestJet when approached by the Daily Mail for comment.
WestJet confirmed the diversion in a statement, clarifying that passengers had to await customs officials because the flight was international. Flight tracking data from Flight Aware illustrated the aircraft's unusual route as it was diverted to Ontario en route to Toronto, highlighting the operational disruptions caused by the adverse weather.
