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Kelowna  

Grounded again at YLW

UPDATE: 8:12 p.m.

Passengers stuck at Kelowna International Airport are being told that Flair Airlines is working on a recovery flight, one passenger told Castanet.

"We should have been back in YEG (Edmonton) by 5:30 p.m. After having to turn back a second time they finally announced that they would be 'trying' to get a second plane here ( by 9:30 p.m.) This flight should have stopped in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, a lot of upset patrons."

The Flair Airlines flight 310 was originally scheduled to depart from YLW at 1:35 p.m. but turned around due to an issue with its landing gear. 

The flight attempted takeoff again a few hours later only to turn around again because of the same landing gear issue.

—with files from Alanna Kelly


UPDATE: 7:32 p.m.

The passengers of a Flair Airlines flight were again deplaned following another issue with the aircraft, a Boeing 737-400. 

Earlier in the afternoon, Flight 310 to Vancouver, took off from YLW before turning around because of an issue with its landing gear.

The plane landed safely. 

After a few hours, the plane was re-boarded and took off, only to have the same issue and quickly landed back at YLW, again. 

Frustrated passengers took to Twitter shortly after the second issue.

@Bingerella Tweeted: 

@FlairAirlines so just landed in #ylw again for THE SECOND TIME. I hope the company is figuring a way for me to get back to #Yeg"

"Depart from #ylw airport heading back to #yeg. Had to do an emergency turn around for mechanical problem. After two hour “diagnostic” we are clear to depart . Only to turn around again for the SAME  PROBLEM."

A YLW spokesperson said the airport is directing questions about the flight to Flair Airlines. 


ORIGINAL 3:14 p.m.

 

A Flair Airlines Boeing 737-400 landed safely in Kelowna after some tense moments, Sunday.

Flight 310 to Vancouver took off from YLW at 1:35 p.m. and had difficulty retracting its landing gear.

The aircraft circled the valley to burn off fuel while emergency response crews stood by.

The flight landed safely at 2:19 p.m.

Flair Airlines passengers are being re-accommodated by Flair Airlines.



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