Air Transat has hit their deadline to explain why hundreds of passengers were stranded for hours at Ottawa Airport on Monday.
The Canadian Transportation Agency launched an inquiry into delays that left people stuck inside a plane for 6 hours. The deadline for a submission from Air Transat was set for Friday at 5p.m.
“Air Transat has submitted a reply to the CTA. The CTA will now review Air Transat's submission and determine the next steps of the inquiry process,” said Martine Maltais, media relations for Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).
The flight was heading from Brussels to Montreal when it was rerouted for Ottawa due to weather. Passengers had already flown eight hours before becoming stranded on the tarmac.
Desperate for help, one passenger phoned 911 after roughly four hours stuck on the plane.
CTV News Ottawa obtained the call between the dispatcher and paramedics from July 31, 2017.
“It looks like it’s a citizen calling from that flight,” the dispatcher said. “There’s about 100 people at this time not feeling well, they’re drowsy, confused… Some are complaining about severe pain, others are complaining about cold sweats,” she continued.
Passengers complained there was no food offered during the delay, and limited water.
Ottawa Paramedics did attend the scene. One person was assessed.
Six hours later the flight continued on to Montreal. Air Transat is being asked to explain what took so long.
In a statement, the union representing Air Transat’s flight attendants wrote “our crew members acted in a prompt and professional manner… I am proud of the conduct exercised by the hard working members,” said Charlie Ezerzer, president of local 4047.
The investigation is ongoing.