OTTAWA, July 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NAV CANADA will restore regular nighttime air navigation services at twelve locations in British Columbia, beginning August 4, 2020. This decision was made after considering both the regional public health environment and operational requirements.
In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic NAV CANADA temporarily suspended overnight air navigation services at 18 facilities, including air traffic control towers, flight service stations and locations which receive remote airport aerodrome advisory service. These measures reduced the exposure of NAV CANADA’s essential employees to the coronavirus, while ensuring that critical air navigation services remained available when they were most needed.
NAV CANADA remains fully committed to safeguarding the health of our employees and the resiliency of our services. The company will remain vigilant and regularly reassess the COVID-19 situation.
Quick Facts
Midnight operations will be restored at the following sites.
Aerodrome Advisory Service
Site
Effective Date
Effective Time
Terrace, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Cranbrook, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Fort Nelson, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Fort St. John, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Kamloops, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Penticton, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Port Hardy, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Remote Aerodrome Advisory Service
Site
Effective Date
Effective Time
Sandspit, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Abbotsford, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Victoria, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Kelowna, BC
August 4, 2020
22:00 local
Tofino, BC
August 5, 2020
22:00 local
Pilots can receive detailed information about these new levels of service through NOTAM.
The temporary suspension of overnight services remains in effect at Prince Albert (Glass Field) SK (CYPA), Red Deer, AB (CYQF), Deer Lake, NL (CYDF), St. Anthony, NL (CYAY), Charlottetown, PE (CYYG), Saint John, NB (CYSJ), and Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy, NS (CYQY). The need for temporary measures at these remaining sites will continue to be assessed based on the prevailing regional public health environment and operational considerations.
Safeguard measures, including enhanced cleaning protocols and restricting visitor access remains in effect at all NAV CANADA operational units.
Schedule highlights airline’s continued service to 39 Canadian cities from coast-to-coast
Airline’s stringent health and safety measures ensure Canadians can travel safely to 48 destinations
CALGARY, AB, July 13, 2020 /CNW/ – WestJet today released its updated August schedule featuring more than 200 daily flights to 48 destinations across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. The schedule features service to 39 domestic airports and further highlights the airline’s commitment to ensuring air service and regional connectivity is available to Canadians from coast-to-coast.
The updated schedule is supported by the layered framework WestJet has built to ensure Canadians can continue to travel safely and responsibly through the airline’s Safety Above All hygiene program. The airline continues to provide flexibility in booking, change and cancellation policies for guests.
“With the many safeguards and procedures in place, we are certain Canadians can safely resume travel to destinations across our network,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “We continue to adapt our schedule to meet the needs of our guests and through our continued investments economies can begin to recover with the support of domestic tourism driven by air travel.”
Between July 15 through to September 4, 2020, WestJet will increase domestic frequencies and offer operations to 48 destinations including 39 in Canada, five in the U.S., two in Europe, one in the Caribbean, one in Mexico.
The airline will reintroduce non-stop Dreamliner service from Calgary to London (Gatwick) and Paris effective August 20, 2020 and will continue to serve five key transborder destinations including Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York (LaGuardia) and Orlando. The airline will also offer service to Cancun, Mexico and will resume operations once-weekly to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Continued von zur Muehlen, “Despite these headwinds, we are committed to ensuring air travel remains affordable and accessible to Canadians from coast-to-coast during this difficult time. While an increase in flying is a positive sign, we are prudently monitoring our guests loads to ensure we are managing our airline and the health of our guests and crew responsibly.”
The August schedule reflects approximately a 10 per cent increase in flying from July, but a decrease of 75 per cent less flying from August 2019. It also includes select frequency reductions and temporary domestic route suspensions between stations across Canada due to continued border closures and provincial travel restrictions.
At this time, the airline is planning on operating the following domestic routes and frequencies from July 16 to September 4. The below frequencies represent peak service within this time frame:
ALBERTA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Calgary-Abbotsford
2x daily
Calgary-Comox
1x daily
Calgary-Cranbrook
4x weekly
Calgary-Fort St. John
2x daily
Calgary-Kamloops
1x daily
Calgary-Kelowna
3x daily
Calgary-Nanaimo
1x daily
Calgary-Penticton
1x daily
Calgary-Vancouver
7x daily
Calgary-Victoria
2x daily
Calgary-Edmonton
6x daily
Calgary-Fort McMurray
3x daily
Calgary-Grande Prairie
3x daily
Calgary-Lethbridge
3x weekly
Calgary-Lloydminster
2x weekly
Calgary-Medicine Hat
2x weekly
Calgary-Yellowknife
4x weekly
Calgary-Brandon
3x weekly
Calgary-Regina
3x daily
Calgary-Saskatoon
3x daily
Calgary-Winnipeg
3x daily
Calgary-Hamilton
4x weekly
Calgary-Kitchener/Waterloo
4x weekly
Calgary-Toronto
6x daily
Edmonton-Comox
2x weekly
Edmonton-Kelowna
6x weekly
Edmonton-Vancouver
3x daily
Edmonton-Victoria
1x daily
Edmonton-Calgary
6x daily
Edmonton-Fort McMurray
6x weekly
Edmonton-Grande Prairie
6x weekly
Edmonton-Regina
5x weekly
Edmonton-Saskatoon
6x weekly
Edmonton-Winnipeg
6x weekly
Edmonton-Toronto
3x daily
Fort McMurray-Calgary
3x daily
Fort McMurray-Edmonton
6x weekly
Grande Prairie-Calgary
3x daily
Grande Prairie-Edmonton
6x weekly
Lethbridge-Calgary
3x weekly
Lloydminster-Calgary
2x weekly
Medicine Hat-Calgary
2x weekly
Yellowknife-Calgary
4x weekly
BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON
Abbotsford-Calgary
2x daily
Comox-Calgary
1x daily
Cranbrook-Calgary
4x weekly
Fort St John-Calgary
2x daily
Fort St John-Vancouver
4x weekly
Kamloops-Calgary
1x daily
Kelowna-Vancouver
1x daily
Kelowna-Calgary
3x daily
Kelowna-Edmonton
6x weekly
Nanaimo-Calgary
1x daily
Penticton-Calgary
1x daily
Prince George-Vancouver
3x daily
Terrace-Vancouver
1x daily
Vancouver-Kelowna
1x daily
Vancouver-Prince George
3x daily
Vancouver-Terrace
1x daily
Vancouver-Victoria
2x daily
Vancouver-Calgary
7x daily
Vancouver-Edmonton
3x daily
Vancouver-Winnipeg
6x weekly
Vancouver-Toronto
4x daily
Victoria-Vancouver
2x daily
Victoria-Calgary
2x daily
Victoria-Edmonton
1x daily
ONTARIO
Hamilton-Calgary
4x weekly
Kitchener/Waterloo-Calgary
4x weekly
London, ON-Toronto
6x weekly
Ottawa-Calgary
6x weekly
Ottawa-Toronto
4x daily
Ottawa-Halifax
2x weekly
Thunder Bay-Winnipeg
2x weekly
Thunder Bay-Toronto
6x weekly
Toronto-Vancouver
4x daily
Toronto-Calgary
6x daily
Toronto-Edmonton
3x daily
Toronto-Regina
3x weekly
Toronto-Saskatoon
3x weekly
Toronto-Winnipeg
3x daily
Toronto-London, ON
6x weekly
Toronto-Ottawa
4x daily
Toronto-Thunder Bay
4x weekly
Toronto-Montreal
4x daily
Toronto-Quebec City
4x weekly
Toronto-Charlottetown
6x weekly
Toronto-Deer Lake
4x weekly
Toronto-Fredericton
5x weekly
Toronto-Halifax
3x daily
Toronto-Moncton
5x weekly
Toronto-St. John’s (NL)
1x daily
SASKATCHEWAN AND MANITOBA
Brandon-Calgary
3x weekly
Regina-Calgary
3x daily
Regina-Edmonton
5x weekly
Regina-Toronto
3x weekly
Saskatoon-Calgary
3x daily
Saskatoon-Edmonton
6x weekly
Saskatoon-Winnipeg
2x weekly
Saskatoon-Toronto
3x weekly
Winnipeg-Vancouver
6x weekly
Winnipeg-Calgary
3x daily
Winnipeg-Edmonton
6x weekly
Winnipeg-Saskatoon
2x weekly
Winnipeg-Thunder Bay
2x weekly
Winnipeg-Toronto
3x daily
QUEBEC
Montreal-Calgary
6x weekly
Montreal-Toronto
4x daily
Quebec City-Toronto
4x weekly
ATLANTIC CANADA
Charlottetown-Toronto
6x weekly
Deer Lake-Toronto
4x weekly
Fredericton-Toronto
5x weekly
Halifax-Calgary
1x daily
Halifax-Ottawa
2x weekly
Halifax-Toronto
3x daily
Halifax- St. John’s (NL)
1x daily
Halifax-Sydney
2x weekly
Moncton-Toronto
5x weekly
St. John’s (NL)-Toronto
1x daily
St. John’s (NL)-Halifax
1x daily
Sydney-Halifax
2x weekly
At this time, the airline is planning on operating the following transborder and international routes from July 16 to September 4, 2020.
Market
Planned frequency
Calgary – Los Angeles
3x weekly
Calgary – Las Vegas
2x weekly
Calgary – Atlanta
4x weekly
Calgary – London Gatwick
3 weekly effective August 20
Calgary – Paris
2x weekly effective August 20
Vancouver – Los Angeles
3x weekly
Toronto – LaGuardia
5x weekly
Toronto – Orlando
1x weekly
Toronto – Cancun
1x weekly
Toronto – Montego Bay
1x weekly
Temporary domestic route suspensions for July 16 – September 4, 2020.
Central Mountain Air Adds Flights to Alberta and British Columbia and Introduces a Leading Cancellation Policy
SMITHERS, BC, July 9, 2020 /CNW/ – Following the safe and successful July 7th relaunch of scheduled service to five British Columbian cities, Central Mountain Air (CMA) today announced the resumption of flights between three additional Alberta and British Columbia destinations: Fort Nelson (YYE), High Level (YOJ), and Edmonton (YEG). While the new route schedule does not commence until September 14th, 2020, flights are already available for booking on their website.
Central Mountain Air is resuming flights to destinations in British Columbia and Alberta. (CNW Group/Central Mountain Air Ltd.)
“We are very pleased that CMA is working toward restoring scheduled air service to the community of High Level,” said High Level Mayor Crystal McAteer. “CMA has provided a valuable service to our community and been a valued corporate sponsor. The Town recognizes the toll that COVID has taken on our businesses and our citizens. We are aware of the affect this virus has had on air carriers and greatly appreciate CMA’s effort to restore our access to this important mode of travel.”
Modifications to Current Schedule
In response to customer demand, flights currently running between Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, and Terrace on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be changed to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays effective August 9th, 2020.
Book with Confidence Leading booking policy and flight cancellation assurance
CMA is also enhancing its existing Booking Policy to provide customers with friendlier cancellation options. Passengers booked on their Flex fare classes are eligible for refunds to their original form of payment up to 72 hours before their flight, without any extra fees.
“CMA is proud to lead the Canadian airline industry with this refund policy,” said Bob Cummings, CMA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our customers are responding to unprecedented change and need this peace of mind. We also plan to lead the industry in terms of our flight scheduling approach,” said Cummings. “We are committed to running our schedule as published, we built the schedule to maximize our confidence in minimizing the need to combine, cancel or change flights.”
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Gary Foster was delighted with the announcement: “CMA is a valued transportation service provider to Fort Nelson as the hub of the Northern Rockies, and the resumption of CMA flights is a welcome step on the road to the new post-COVID-19 normal.”
Partnering with Communities on Safety
As CMA resumes and grows its schedule, customer safety remains our primary concern. “We have worked closely with each of the communities we serve to ensure their health indicators and demand support scheduled service,” said Cummings. “We know how much these communities rely on our connectivity and are proud to partner with them on this schedule.”
Tom Ruth, President & CEO of Edmonton International Airport (EIA), added, “We look forward to welcoming back our valued partner CMA as an essential air service link to Prince George and High Level. While we are rebuilding our economy, EIA’s top priority continues to be safety and security, and our EIA Ready program demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a clean and safe passenger journey.”
Through July 17th, passengers can book using the promo code RELAUNCH, which provides a 10% discount for travel through October 31st.
Airline continues to focus on significant safety and hygiene enhancements to ensure a safe travel journey
CALGARY, AB, June 15, 2020 /CNW/ – WestJet today released its updated July schedule, developed to allow Canadians the pleasure of summer travel while economically supporting communities across the country in safely reopening travel and domestic tourism. In addition, the airline has added flights to select U.S. markets.
To ensure guests can book with confidence, the airline maintains its stringent Safety Above All hygiene program and continues to provide flexibility in booking, change and cancellation policies.
“Today’s schedule reflects our commitment to orderly and safe travel while providing steps to allow Canadians to get out, explore, and take part in critical economic activities like staying in hotels, eating out, visiting tourist attractions or simply just travelling to see friends and family,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “Governments and Canadians from coast-to-coast are working together to lessen the impact of this pandemic and we are grateful that these efforts have put us in a position to add more options for travel this July.”
From July 5 through August 4, 2020, WestJet will offer operations to 45 destinations including 39 in Canada, five in the U.S. and one in Mexico an increase of approximately 102 per cent more flights from June, but down 76 per cent from July 2019.
Continued von zur Muehlen, “As we emerge from the pandemic, health vigilance must be balanced with the gradual reopening of our economy. WestJet has done our part and spent millions of dollars to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests and our people. We’re ready to get Canadians flying.”
On March 22, WestJet suspended its international and transborder operations. The airline’s schedule now contains flights to key transborder and international destinations including Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta (ATL) and Las Vegas (LAS).
“Jurisdictions around the world are opening, allowing citizens to begin flying once again which is kickstarting their economies for recovery. We’ve heard from the communities we serve and look forward to having Canadians safely participate and stimulate domestic tourism this summer,” stated von zur Muehlen.
At this time, the airline is planning on operating the following domestic routes and frequencies from July 5 – August 4.
Traffic down more than 96 per cent in Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George
CBC News · Posted: May 27, 2020
The Kelowna International Airport saw about 155,000 passengers in April 2019. Last month, there were 5,706 passengers, a drop of about 96 per cent. (YLW)
Passenger traffic is significantly down at airports throughout B.C.’s Interior due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions around the globe — Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George’s airports all saw drops of at least 96 per cent in April compared to 2019.
Last year, two million passengers passed through the Kelowna International Airport, making it one of the busiest airports in the country. Approximately 155,000 of those passengers travelled in April 2019.
In April 2020, 5,706 passengers were recorded, equalling a drop of about 96 per cent.
“It’s been devastating,” airport director Sam Sammadar told Daybreak South host Chris Walker.
“I’ve been at the airport 28 years and seeing our traffic grow steadily. We’re one of the top-performing airports in the country.”
Kelowna’s airport is down to eight flights per day, and Sammadar said they’ve let go 80 per cent of staff.
Sammadar said the airport is projecting 2020 numbers to be similar to those of 1997. He doesn’t expect traffic levels to be restored to 2019 levels until the winter of 2023.
Traffic at the Prince George Airport in northern B.C. is also down by 96 per cent, but unlike Kelowna, no staff have been laid off, according to CEO Gordon Duke.
“Pretty tough to see, but not totally unexpected given what we saw happening across the industry not only in Canada, but globally,” Duke said.
He anticipates recovery to begin, in a small way, in June.
The decrease is highest in Kamloops. In April 2019 the airport saw 28,299 passengers and in the same period this year, a mere 493, a decrease of 98.3 per cent. Year to date, the airport is down 29 per cent.
Airport director Ed Ratuski expects minimal improvement in numbers for May, and said recovery is largely dependent on travel restrictions being loosened.
Items to be distributed among Snowbirds, Capt. Jenn Casey’s family and Capt. Richard MacDougall
Courtney Dickson · CBC News · Posted: May 27, 2020
Kamloops residents have been adding to a memorial set up for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds since one of its jets crashed in the city on May 17. (Courtney Dickson/CBC)
The memorial set up by Kamloops, B.C., residents honouring the victims of a fatal Snowbirds plane crash in the city on the Victoria Day long weekend will be taken down Friday.
Capt. Jenn Casey was killed May 17 when the jet she was travelling in went down shortly after take off from the Kamloops airport. Capt. Richard MacDougall, who was also in the plane but managed to successfully eject, was sent to hospital with injuries but is now home in Moose Jaw, Sask., and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Snowbirds were in Kamloops as part of a cross-country tour called Operation Inspiration, meant to salute Canadians amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the crash, hundreds of flowers, hearts, art and messages of condolences were attached to the fence along the airport as residents turned out to pay their respects to Casey, MacDougall and the Snowbirds.
Condolences and messages of support line the fence along the Kamloops Airport, following a fatal Canadian Forces Snowbirds crash on May 17 that killed Capt. Jenn Casey. (Courtney Dickson/CBC)
The City of Kamloops, the Kamloops Airport and Rocky Mountain Rangers will work collaboratively to remove the memorial. Eventually, items will be divided up among the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Casey’s family and MacDougall.
“The idea had been floated around last week to try to preserve it,” Lt. Alexandra Hejduk, public affairs officer with 19 Wing Comox, told Daybreak Kamloops host Shelley Joyce.
Kamloops residents have until Friday to visit the memorial set up by the airport to honour Capt. Jenn Casey and Capt. Richard MacDougall. (Courtney Dickson/CBC)
“We did want to have that memorial up for as long as possible but then because of the inclement weather, if we want to preserve anything we’ll have to take it down.”
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds jets remain grounded at the Kamloops airport. (Courtney Dickson/CBC)
Hejduk visited the memorial when she was in Kamloops last week following the crash and was surprised by the outpouring of support from the community.
“To see that come so spontaneously together in such an organic way was astounding,” she said.
“There are so many heartfelt messages and messages of support … and we wanted to try to capture that and preserve it going forward and so that it is there for all time.”
Lt. Alexandra Hejduk, public affairs officer for 19 Wing Comox, said a small contingent of the Snowbirds team is staying in Kamloops, acting as stewards of the jets for as long as they need to be
Michael Potestio /KTW / Kamloops This Week / MAY 22, 2020
The red and white Snowbirds remain on the ground until the cause of the crash is determined. Snowbirds commanding officer Lieut.-Col. Mike French has said the investigation could take up to a year to complete.Photograph By MICHAEL POTESTIO/KTW
Some members of the Snowbirds team will call Kamloops home, remaining in the city to look after their CT-114 Tutor jets that remain grounded indefinitely on Fulton Field at Kamloops Airport.
On May 17, one of the jets crashed in Brocklehurst shortly after takeoff, claiming the life of Capt. Jennifer Casey and injuring Capt. Richard MacDougall who was piloting the plane. Both managed to eject from the plan before it crashed, but Casey succumbed to injuries suffered in the incident. article continues below
The Snowbirds were on a cross-Canada tour called Operation Inspiration, intended to salute frontline health-care workers and lift the spirits of the public amid the pandemic. The tour, which began on May 3 in Nova Scotia, has been suspended due to the tragedy.
Lt. Alexandra Hejduk, public affairs officer for 19 Wing Comox, said most members of the Snowbirds have now departed the city for Moose Jaw — the Snowbirds’ home base — via a Hercules plane, but a small contingent is staying behind, acting as stewards of the jets for as long as they need to be.
Hejduk said those team members will remain at whatever local hotel they have been staying, with the military covering the cost.
They are also supporting MacDougall, who is recovering at Royal Inland Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Hejduk couldn’t comment on the role MacDougall will play in determining the cause of the crash, but noted the investigative team is interviewing all witnesses, MacDougall being one of them.
Hejduk said the red and white Snowbirds remain on the ground until the cause of the crash is determined. Snowbirds commanding officer Lieut.-Col. Mike French has said the investigation could take up to a year to complete.
Police tape at the crash site has been moved back to just outside the Glenview Avenue home the jet struck. One side of the house, which has been handed back to the homeowners, is charred and boarded up, with a few holes in the roof. – Michael Potestio/KTW
Military investigators arrived in Kamloops on May 18 and the wreckage of the plane was cleared from the crash site on Glenview Avenue by May 21.
First Military Police Regiment from Edmonton, with the assistance of the Rocky Mountain Rangers and Joint Task Force Pacific, secured the site, and the RCAF’s 19 Wing Comox aided with recovering the wreckage.
Hejduk said military personnel have some logistics and loose ends to tie up before departing Kamloops by the weekend. The wreckage will be transported to Ottawa.
Police tape at the crash site has been moved back to just outside the Glenview Avenue home the jet struck. One side of the house, which Hejduk said has been handed back to the homeowners, is charred and boarded up, with a few holes in the roof.
Footage of the crash site release on social media showed flaming wreckage up against that side of the home and what appeared to be the tail of the plane across the street.
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s directorate of flight safety team began its preliminary field investigation on May 18, amassing evidence and removing the wreckage from the site to be transported to a secure location, catalogued and analyzed, Hejduk said.
She said there is no timeline for completion of the investigation, noting people have been asking how long it will be before there are answers.
“Those members need to be able to do everything in the most thorough, objective and professional manner as possible so we can get down to the bottom of what happened,” Hejduk said.
On May 17, two Snowbirds jets departed Kamloops Airport, en route to Comox.
Casey and MacDougall’s jet began flying vertically before beginning to spiral toward the ground, followed by the subsequent crash.
Casey and MacDougall ended up on a Schreiner Street property — Casey in the backyard and MacDougall on the roof of the house — while the aircraft exploded and then fell into a Glenview Avenue front yard, about six doors away from the two crew members.
Statement by the Prime Minister on the fatal Canadian Armed Forces aircraft crash in Kamloops, British Columbia
OTTAWA, May 17, 2020 /CNW/ – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the fatal Canadian Armed Forces aircraft crash in Kamloops, British Columbia:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one Canadian Armed Forces member, Captain Jennifer Casey, and one injured, Captain Richard MacDougall, in today’s Snowbirds aircraft crash in Kamloops, British Columbia.
“Our thoughts are with the families of Captain Casey and Captain MacDougall, as well as the entire Canadian Forces Snowbirds team, as they grieve this terrible loss. I would also like to thank the emergency personnel in Kamloops who responded so quickly to this tragic incident.
“For the past two weeks, the Snowbirds have been flying across the country to lift up Canadians during these difficult times. Every day, they represent the very best of Canada and demonstrate excellence through incredible skill and dedication. Their flyovers across the country put a smile on the faces of Canadians everywhere and make us proud.
“Sophie and I join all Canadians in offering our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Captain Jennifer Casey. All Canadians are with you during this difficult time.”
Message from the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada on the death of Captain Jennifer Casey
OTTAWA, May 17, 2020 /CNW/ – We are devastated at the loss of Captain Jennifer Casey, public affairs officer with the Snowbirds air demonstration team.
In recent weeks, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds undertook Operation INSPIRATION, to pay tribute to all those working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a difficult time for our country, they were a source of hope, travelling across Canada away from their families, for us. Tonight, as this tight knit group mourns the loss of one of their own, we grieve with them, as one family.
On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Captain Casey. I would also like to extend my best wishes to the pilot injured in the crash for a speedy recovery.
To the Royal Canadian Air Force, the military Public Affairs Branch, and the entire Canadian Armed Forces community, Canada stands with you today and in the days to come. You are in our hearts.
NEWS 95.7 has confirmed that Capt. Jenn Casey, who served as a spokesperson for the Snowbirds, was on the plane when it crashed.
Casey joined the Snowbirds in 2018 and served as a spokesperson.
Prior to that, she was a reporter, anchor, and producer with NEWS 95.7 in Halifax. NEWS 95.7 is a sister station of NEWS 1130.
Heartbreaking. Snowbird who died has been identified as Captain Jennifer Casey. Before she was the Public Affairs Officer for the Snowbirds, she was a reporter/anchor/producer at @NEWS1130 sister station @NEWS957 in Halifax. https://t.co/Ukdl6sJcQZ
Just two weeks ago, Casey told NEWS 95.7 about how the Snowbirds would visit Nova Scotia as part of Operation Inspiration, a cross-country tour to boost morale during COVID-19.
Casey grew up in Halifax, getting a Bachelor of Arts at Dalhousie University and attending journalism school at the University of King’s College.
According to her online profile with the Air Force, Casey has been with the Snowbirds since November 2018. The RCAF confirmed in Sunday that Casey’s family has been notified.
A witness captured the moments before a Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet crashed in Kamloops, B.C.
One member of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds team is dead after a Snowbirds jet crashed and burst into flames in the front yard of a house in Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday.
Another member sustained serious injuries in the crash, the Department of National Defence said in a statement Sunday afternoon, adding that immediate family members were notified.
The crash happened before noon PT, shortly after the jet took off from the Kamloops Airport. Witnesses say it was following another jet when it appeared to veer upward and circle the tarmac before going into a nosedive.
Video shows two puffs of black smoke coming from the plane and appears to show at least one person ejecting from the jet shortly before it hit the ground in a residential area near Glenview Avenue and Schreiner Street.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that one member of the CF Snowbirds team has died and one has sustained serious injuries. We can confirm that we have contacted all primary family members of those involved. More information will be communicated in the near future.
— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) May 17, 2020
The Snowbirds aerobatics team was scheduled to do a flyover of the Okanagan area Sunday as part of Operation Inspiration, a salute to Canadians and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic that started earlier this month in Nova Scotia.
“This accident today really shakes us to our core, but we will do our best to support the military and the men and women in service,” Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian said during a media briefing Sunday afternoon.
The jet had just taken off from the Kamloops Airport when it went into a nosedive. (CBC News)
Emergency crews from the Kamloops Airport initially responded to the incident. The military is sending an investigation team to Kamloops, and the Snowbirds will remain grounded for now, Christian said.
Kamloops RCMP are asking the public to avoid the area. They’re asking anyone who may have captured the crash on video to contact them.
In a tweet Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his thoughts are with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
I have been in touch with @HarjitSajjan about the @CFSnowbirds crash in Kamloops, BC. My thoughts are with the brave members of the @RCAF_ARC. The CAF will provide an update as soon as possible.
Witness Annette Schonewille said she saw the jet fall from the sky.
Schonewille was parked with friends having coffee at McArthur Island Park in Kamloops.
Witnesses say the Snowbirds pilot landed with a parachute on the roof of this house in Kamloops, B.C., a few homes away from where the plane crashed. (Elwood Delaney)
She said she watched one Snowbirds plane fly up and when the second one went after it, it appeared to catch on fire.
“The one plane continued and the other one … was a ball of fire,” she said.
“No noise, it was strange, and then the plane just did a cartwheel and fell right out of the sky. Just boom, straight down, and then a burst of black, black smoke.”
‘It was complete chaos’
Nolyn McLeod lives across from the house where the plane landed.
He was sitting in his yard with his father when the plane went right over them, about three metres above their roof, he said.
“We saw the pilot eject like maybe two storeys high, and then the plane with no pilot in it went right between me and my neighbour’s house,” he said.
The plane curved into the street and hit the bedroom window of the neighbour’s house, he said.
A Snowbirds jet crashed near a house in Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday. B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said one person was taken to hospital after the crash. (Elwood Delaney)
McLeod said he ran to the front of that house, then tried to direct a gathering crowd away from power lines.
The charred plane was sitting in the neighbour’s front lawn, he said.
“The house was all burnt and charred; the roof was caving in,” he said. “It was pretty bad. The whole lawn was on fire.
“It was complete chaos. People were yelling and screaming. We thought we were getting bombed or something. That’s how hectic it was.”
A Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet has crashed in Kamloops, B.C. Mike Trafford, who was a witness to the scene, describes what he saw.
Elwood Delaney said he watched two Snowbirds jets take off from the airport near his house.
“The other one didn’t quite bank up high enough and it kind of got it behind the trees and [I] saw a parachute come out of it and then smoke there,” he said.
“I saw one parachuter who landed on a house close by.”
Photos provided to CBC News by Delaney show the remains of a jet in the front yard of a house and what appears to be a parachute on the roof.
Neighbours and passersby crowded around the front yard behind police tape.
Fire officials talk near the tail wreckage from a Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds jet after a member of the exhibition team crashed shortly after takeoff in Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday. (Dennis Owen/Reuters)
Rose Miller lives directly across the street from the house where the plane hit and said a couple who live there are in their 70s.
The woman had been in the basement while the man was behind the house at the time of the crash, she said.
Both of them are OK, she said, noting she’d spoken with them after they were moved to a nearby street.
Christian said one home was significantly damaged by fire, and an injured person was found at another home.
There was a large amount of debris around three houses, he added, saying the incident has “shaken that neighbourhood.”
Snowbirds jet crashed in U.S. last October
The Transportation Safety Board said it is offering assistance to the Canadian Forces with its investigation into the crash.
The jets had arrived in Kamloops on Saturday after flyovers in Alberta.
On Sunday morning the Snowbirds tweeted that some mountain passes had low cloud cover, which would be unsafe to fly through.
Late this morning @BC_EHS received multiple calls about a plane crash near the Kamloops airport. Paramedics and air ambulances were dispatched and one individual was transported to hospital. Our thoughts are with all affected during this difficult time.
Another Snowbirds jet went down in the U.S. state of Georgia last October, where the team had been scheduled to perform an air show.
Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier sustained minor injuries when he ejected from the plane, which crashed into a farmer’s field. No one else was hurt.
The Snowbirds have performed at air shows across Canada and the U.S. for decades and are considered a key tool for raising awareness recruiting for the air force. Eleven aircraft are used during shows, with nine flying and two kept as spares.
The air force obtained its Tutor jets in 1963 and has used them in air demonstrations since 1971. Prior to Sunday’s crash, seven pilots and one passenger had been killed and several aircraft had been lost over the course of the Snowbirds’ history.
The Snowbirds aerobatics team was scheduled to do a flyover of the Okanagan area Sunday as part of Operation Inspiration, a salute to Canadians and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (@Daggerville)
The red and white Snowbirds remain on the ground until the cause of the crash is determined. Snowbirds commanding officer Lieut.-Col. Mike French has said the investigation could take up to a year to complete.Photograph By MICHAEL POTESTIO/KTW
A photo of Jenn Casey while she was working as a producer with NEWS 95.7
