The atmosphere may be somewhat strained at the dining table for a Canadian family ejected from an Air Canada flight on January 3. The flight bound for Calgary from Toronto made an unscheduled stop in Winnipeg due to a violent altercation involving two family members. According to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), “The investigation has determined that Air Canada flight #137 was en route from Toronto to Calgary when a 16-year-old male passenger, from Grande Prairie (in northern Alberta), assaulted an adult male passenger who was identified as a family member.” It remains unclear whether other family members were present on the flight.
Additional reports indicate that fellow passengers and cabin crew intervened, removing the teenager from the family member. The teen was subsequently restrained and taken into custody in Winnipeg before being transported to a hospital. While the adult male sustained minor injuries, the repercussions may extend beyond physical harm. In cases like this, airlines typically seek to recoup the expenses incurred during diversions, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Given the young age of the teen, it is unlikely that he would be named in such a lawsuit.
Despite the incident, the plane managed to resume its journey after the family was disembarked, arriving in Calgary approximately three hours behind schedule.
