Kingston, Ont. couple frustrated with five-hour flight delay at Toronto's Pearson Airport
A Kingston, Ont. couple celebrating their 25th anniversary had their dream vacation turn into a nightmare, after they were left stranded on the tarmac for five hours at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
Video sent to CTV News Ottawa shows frustrations spilling over as people stand, waiting to disembark the plane Friday evening. The flight was supposed to leave Toronto for Newark, New Jersey at 2:30 p.m., but by 9 p.m., the plane had not left the ground.
At one point, a woman yells they want to get off the plane, saying the flight had been cancelled and people demanding to speak to the pilot.
Richard and Chantal Olescuk were on the flight, connecting to Newark to jet off to Portugal for their dream anniversary trip.
There was an initial two-hour delay to board the plane. When the Olescuk's eventually boarded the plane, they said the passengers were informed there would be another delay before takeoff.
The Olescuk’s say they were told the delay was because of congestion at Newark Airport, but after hours of patiently waiting, the plane still had not left the gate.
Eventually, they were told they were going back to the gate because due to the delay they didn’t have enough fuel for the new flight.
"Incredible frustration of being, sitting this seat, knowing you can’t do anything about getting off," he said.
At that point passengers started getting notifications the flight was cancelled and they were being rescheduled.
Frustrations mounted, explains Chantal Olescuk, when they still then were not let off because they were waiting for an Air Canada representative that never came.
"At the point where the crew couldn’t communicate anymore or didn’t know what to say, and said it was now going to be someone who met us. It became scary, people were angry, people started to have panic attacks," she explains. "People were pushed where they didn’t have any resilience left."
The Air Passenger Bill of Rights states that after three hours, passengers must be allowed to disembark the aircraft, unless there’s reason to believe the flight can take off.
Air Canada wouldn't comment on this particular case when contacted by CTV News on Saturday.
"The global air transport industry is currently challenged due to issues with airports and third-party providers of such services as passenger screening, customs, and air navigation," the airline said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. "We are working hard with these partners and government to resolve these issues as they are affecting the performance of airlines."
Toronto's Pearson International Airport was recently ranked as the worst airport in the world for flight delays and cancellations.
The Olescuk's won’t be able to make their trip to Portugal, but say they’re more focused on those who could make it home to see their families.
They say they don’t blame the crew or those who tried to help, but are frustrated with the lack of communication from those making decisions.
"Saying if you’re travelling during the pandemic, 'you need to have patience,' we understand that, but the system has to be better," she explains. "Air Canada has to do better. It’s not okay to leave people stranded on a plane for five hours."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.