Cargojet Freighter Aircraft Grounded by Severe Hailstorm

Cargojet experienced significant operational setbacks last week after two of its freighter aircraft sustained severe damage during a massive hailstorm at Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada. The storm, which struck on August 5, unleashed golf ball-sized hail, causing extensive damage not only to Cargojet’s aircraft but also to 16 planes operated by WestJet, Canada’s second-largest passenger airline.

During a recent analyst call to discuss second-quarter earnings, Cargojet executives detailed the impact of the storm on their fleet. The affected Cargojet aircraft include a Boeing 767 leased from Amazon and a smaller Boeing 757 owned by Cargojet. The 767, which Cargojet operates on behalf of Amazon in Canada, and the 757 have been relocated to Cargojet’s base in Hamilton, Ontario, for necessary repairs.

Cargojet anticipates a relatively swift return to service for the 757 freighter, whereas the 767 may require a week or more to repair. Despite these disruptions, Cargojet is utilizing backup aircraft to ensure that Amazon’s service commitments are maintained without delay.

WestJet, meanwhile, faces a more extensive recovery process. The hailstorm caused substantial damage to approximately 10% of WestJet’s fleet, necessitating a thorough inspection and repair of the affected aircraft. The airline has proactively canceled flights as it works to return its fleet to full operational status. To date, WestJet has canceled hundreds of flights and is currently grounding around 50 flights daily. Repair efforts are anticipated to extend over several weeks due to the need for specialized equipment and materials.

The damage from hailstorms can extend beyond visible cosmetic issues. Aviation experts point out that hail can also damage radomes, which protect radar antennas, and cause dents that affect an aircraft’s flight characteristics. WestJet has shared images showing extensive pitting on the wing spoilers of its damaged aircraft.

In response to the crisis, WestJet is implementing measures to mitigate the impact on passengers, including increasing flights operated by its regional carrier, WestJet Encore, and partner Canadian North. The airline has also enlisted the support of Boeing and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) to expedite repairs and secure additional resources. Each aircraft requires the attention of 12 maintenance technicians for inspection and repair.

The recent hailstorm adds to a series of challenges faced by WestJet. Just two weeks prior, the airline was hit hard by an IT outage caused by a faulty update from CrowdStrike, impacting its Windows systems. Additionally, two Flair Airlines jets were also sidelined for several weeks due to the storm.

Calgary International Airport, a major hub for WestJet, suffered further infrastructure damage when hail compromised the roof of its domestic terminal, leading to extensive water damage, according to the airport authority. The combined effects of the hailstorm and IT outage have created significant operational disruptions for WestJet and its partners, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing and maintaining airline operations under extreme weather conditions.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, finance.yahoo.com