‘Rejected takeoff’ on WestJet flight departing Vancouver causes hours-long runway closure

Emergency crews were called to the tarmac and passengers set to depart Vancouver for Calgary had to be bussed back to the terminal.

A WestJet flight bound for Calgary experienced a “rejected takeoff” at Vancouver International Airport Monday afternoon, according to the airline.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m.

Few details were provided, but a spokesperson for WestJet confirmed that emergency crews were called to the runway “out of an abundance of caution.”

A rejected takeoff “can happen if a pilot decides to abort the takeoff procedure after it has been initiated,” the spokesperson said in a follow-up email.

No injuries were reported but all passengers on board were being bussed back to the terminal and efforts were being made to “reaccommodate” the impacted travellers, according to the airline.

Vancouver International Airport, in an email, said the incident was the result of an “aircraft issue” and that the north runway has been closed until the airline and airport staff “make arrangements to safely move the aircraft and re-open the runway.”

The runway reopened just before 9 p.m.