Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight bound for St. John’s earlier this week endured nearly seven hours in the air before being diverted back to Toronto following multiple landing attempts due to crosswinds near the destination airport.
Air Canada confirmed to CTV News Toronto on Thursday that Flight AC698, scheduled for Atlantic Canada on February 5, encountered challenging weather conditions necessitating the decision to return to its departure point. Severe winter weather in Atlantic Canada compounded the difficulty of finding an alternate landing site.
Departing from Toronto at 9:43 p.m., the flight’s duration exceeded the usual three-hour journey, lasting six hours and 37 minutes, with the aircraft circling St. John’s International Airport in vain attempts to land.
Air Canada emphasized the pilot’s prudent choice in returning to Toronto, citing proactive measures such as carrying additional fuel to mitigate anticipated weather fluctuations. Given the late hour and limited accommodation options, the airline deemed returning to Pearson airport as the most viable option for the predominantly Toronto-based passengers. Throughout the incident, Air Canada prioritized safety as its paramount concern.
