VANCOUVER – The recent flight cancellation at the centre of a dispute in British Columbia has been defended by Flair Airlines, who claims that bird strikes did occur.
The incident, which took place on July 5, involved a Flair Airlines flight from Abbotsford to Edmonton being cancelled due to a reported bird strike. This led to a heated exchange between the airline and the Abbotsford International Airport, with the airport accusing Flair of using the bird strike as an excuse to cancel the flight.
However, Flair Airlines has now released a statement defending their decision to cancel the flight. In the statement, the airline acknowledges that bird strikes did occur and that they followed all necessary safety protocols in response.
“We take the safety of our passengers and crew very seriously and will always err on the side of caution,” the statement reads. “In this case, our pilots reported multiple bird strikes during takeoff, which is a known safety hazard and can cause significant damage to the aircraft.”
The statement also addresses the accusations made by the Abbotsford International Airport, stating that the airline followed all necessary procedures and protocols in reporting the incident.
“We understand the frustration of our passengers and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation,” the statement continues. “However, the safety of our passengers and crew will always be our top priority.”
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about bird strikes and their impact on air travel. According to Transport Canada, there were over 1,500 reported bird strikes in Canada in 2020, with the majority occurring during takeoff or landing.
In response to the incident, the Abbotsford International Airport has stated that they will be reviewing their procedures for handling bird strikes and working with airlines to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As for Flair Airlines, they have assured the public that they will continue to prioritize safety and follow all necessary protocols to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.
