Air Canada Flight Diverted to Calgary After Teen Assaults Family Member

An Air Canada flight was diverted on Wednesday, causing a three-hour delay in its arrival in Calgary. The diversion occurred after a 16-year-old boy assaulted a family member on board the aircraft. The incident resulted in the teenager being restrained by both the airline crew and fellow passengers. Subsequently, the authorities arrested the teen and took him to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

Flight Details and Diversion

The incident took place on Flight AC137, which was scheduled to fly from Toronto to Calgary. However, just over an hour into the journey, the flight was diverted to Winnipeg. The diversion was confirmed by data from Flightradar24, a flight tracking website. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report about the unruly passenger at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Assault on Family Member

According to the RCMP, their investigation revealed that the 16-year-old from Alberta had assaulted an adult male passenger who was identified as a family member. The airline employees and fellow passengers intervened to restrain the suspect, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

Arrest and Medical Evaluation

Following the incident, the authorities arrested the teenager. Due to concerns about his well-being, he was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Meanwhile, the family member who was assaulted received treatment at the scene for minor physical injuries.

Flight Resumption and Arrival in Calgary

After the situation was under control, the Airbus A321 aircraft departed Winnipeg at 2:47 p.m. The flight eventually landed in Calgary, approximately three hours later than the original schedule.

Increase in Unruly Passenger Incidents

Unruly passenger behavior has become increasingly common since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 1,161 such incidents. However, this number rose significantly to 2,031 incidents in the following year. As the aviation industry recovered in 2021, the number of unruly passenger incidents reached nearly 6,000.

Flight Cancellations and Consumer Protections

Despite the rise in unruly passenger incidents, flight cancellations reached their lowest percentage in a decade in 2023. According to the US Department of Transportation, flight cancellations were just below 1.2%. This indicates improved performance and consumer protection measures within the aviation industry.

Air Canada’s Response

Business Insider reached out to Air Canada for comment regarding the incident but did not receive an immediate response. The airline’s response will provide further insight into their handling of the situation and any additional measures they may take to ensure passenger safety.

Overall, the incident on the Air Canada flight highlights the importance of effective crew and passenger intervention in maintaining a secure and peaceful travel environment. It also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by airlines in managing unruly passenger behavior.