Halifax airport response in question after flight’s fiery landing, evacuation

A passenger on a recent rough-landing flight to Halifax says not only was the incident frightening, but the aftermath was poorly managed as people were left out in the cold.

An advocacy group for airport safety is calling for an investigation into a recent rough landing at the Halifax airport that resulted in an engine fire and evacuation.

There were 73 passengers and four crew members on board the Air Canada Express flight, operated by regional carrier PAL Airlines, when it landed at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Dec. 28, 2024.

Steve Mahar, a passenger on that flight, says not only was the incident frightening, but the aftermath was poorly managed.

First, he had to jump about four-and-half feet to clear the aircraft because there was no emergency platform to escort passengers.

Then, he and the other passengers were forced to stand on the tarmac for an hour in the cold.

“My parents are there. They’re seniors. They’re cold. There’s children there that are cold,” he said.

“At least get a few people blankets that you surely have in your vehicles or get them in your vehicle. The people who are the most vulnerable out here. And frankly, nothing was done for that.”

Mahar says eventually, they were picked up by two shuttle buses and taken to a hangar.