Plane’s route altered to Winnipeg as passenger attempts to open door mid-flight

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This article was published 17/02/2024 (584 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A passenger’s failed attempt to open an airplane door mid-flight led to an emergency landing at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport on Friday.

WestJet confirmed a guest on board a midday trip from Vancouver to Toronto – typically, a 4 ½ non-stop route – tried to open a cabin door in the air.

The plane was diverted to Winnipeg around 4 p.m. local time.

Manitoba RCMP and emergency responders responded to the incident upon arrival and the passenger was taken into their custody, WestJet spokeswoman Madison Kruger said in an email.

Kruger noted crews are trained to handle passengers who may pose a safety hazard to themselves or others and de-escalate situations onboard.

“It’s important to note, it is not possible to open secured pressurized aircraft doors at high altitudes,” she said, adding the airline is apologetic for the disruption that resulted in flight WS710 arriving in Toronto shortly after landing in Winnipeg, albeit later than scheduled.

Michel Rosset of the Winnipeg Airports Authority said the airport’s “strategic location” makes it a popular emergency landing destination.

Local RCMP arrested a teen accused of assaulting another guest on an Air Canada flight from Calgary to Toronto on Jan. 3 after the pilot made an emergency pitstop to address the incident.

“We see a lot of aircraft traveling over Manitoba en route to and from major American markets and overseas to Europe or elsewhere. Manitoba is located on a major international flight path so we see a lot of diversion,” Rosset said.

It is unclear if any charges have been laid. RCMP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca