A cancelled flight from Toronto to the Bahamas on Saturday has left many WestJet passengers spending part of Christmas Eve at the airport.
鈥淭hey delayed our flight about five times,鈥� Jason Bodi, who was supposed to be on the 3:35pm flight on Saturday to Nassau, told CTV Toronto on Sunday. 鈥淥ur hotel is about $900 a night in Atlantis, so I don鈥檛 know who鈥檚 going to compensate that.鈥�
Bodi鈥檚 family had hoped to be in the Caribbean on Saturday evening, but after a long day of waiting for flight WS 2756, they ended up stuck in an airport hotel instead of lazing on a beach. Bodi鈥檚 family, along with the flight鈥檚 other passengers, had to depart more than 24 hours later on Christmas Eve.
Fellow passenger Jasmine Bethel who is from the Bahamas was just hoping to be home in time for the holidays.
鈥淢y job ended on Friday, so this was the earliest I could get home,鈥� she told CTV Toronto. 鈥淪o, especially coming home this late, it鈥檚 really disappointing I can鈥檛 get home when I wanted to get home.鈥�
In a statement, WestJet explained that adverse weather was to blame, and that when the aircraft was delayed on its trip prior to the scheduled Bahamas flight, it created an unfortunate domino effect.
鈥淚t was further delayed getting to the gate due to congestion on the ramp,鈥� the company鈥檚 statement read. 鈥淚t was at this point our crew was not able to continue as they had reached their flight duty time limit.鈥�
For passenger Alyssa De La Cruz, who is six months pregnant, this trip was supposed to be a relaxing family getaway that鈥檚 now costing her extra time and money.
鈥淔or a big corporation like this, you guys should be a lot more organized,鈥� she said of the airline. 鈥淵ou guys should have a backup crew or something. Like, it鈥檚 Christmastime so you guys tell us, 鈥極h, it鈥檚 going to be busy.鈥� Well, yes -- don't you guys know it鈥檚 going to be busy for yourselves as well?... It鈥檚 not your first year having people travelling during holidays, so there鈥檚 no excuse.鈥�
In an email to one of the passengers, the company apologized for the inconvenience.
鈥淧lease know that it is never our intention to delay our guests in their travels, as we understand what an impact this can have,鈥� the email, which was shared with CTV Toronto, said. 鈥淲e will follow up by email with a formal apology and an offer of compensation.鈥�
Despite the snowstorm hitting southern Ontario on Sunday, the passengers were all able to depart on their rescheduled flight.
Nearly 2.7 million passengers are expected to travel through Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada鈥檚 busiest airport, between Dec. 17 and Jan. 7.
With a report from CTV Toronto鈥檚 Miranda Anthistle and files from The Canadian Press
