On December 13, 2023, an Air Canada Rouge flight faced significant delays after a baggage handler was discovered trapped in the cargo hold of an Airbus A319 during its pushback from the gate in Toronto. The aircraft, designated AC1502, was scheduled to fly from Toronto, Ontario, to Moncton, New Brunswick, with a departure time initially set for 14:00 and an expected arrival at 17:03.
As the aircraft began taxiing, passengers reported hearing banging and screaming from the cargo area. This prompted the pilot to halt the aircraft’s movement while the situation was assessed. After about an hour on the apron, the captain addressed the passengers, confirming that a baggage handler was indeed trapped in the hold. Following this revelation, all passengers were disembarked for safety reasons.
The flight had already experienced delays prior to this incident, with boarding not commencing until around 18:30. After the discovery, the aircraft remained stationary for an additional hour while crew members worked to safely address the situation. Ultimately, at approximately 20:22, all passengers were evacuated from the plane.
Despite hopes for a timely departure, the situation worsened. After the passengers were taken back to the terminal, they remained there until 22:00 when they were reboarded on the same aircraft. Unfortunately, the flight faced further complications at 23:00 when a mechanical issue was reported, requiring additional repairs before takeoff.
Passengers were informed once again at 23:15 that they would need to disembark as a replacement aircraft was being arranged. A new plane arrived at the gate just before midnight; however, by 01:50 the next morning, the flight was officially cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at the airport.
The ordeal continued as the delayed passengers were rebooked onto a replacement flight scheduled for later that day, December 14. This flight eventually took off, bringing the passengers to Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport approximately 24 hours after their original scheduled departure.
Fortunately, the baggage handler remained in the cargo hold for the duration of the flight, which lasted about 90 minutes. Had the aircraft taken off without realizing someone was trapped, the situation could have been life-threatening due to extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and pressure changes experienced at high altitudes.
Air Canada operates non-stop services year-round between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Moncton, utilizing various aircraft types from its mainline, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge fleets. The route is also served by Porter Airlines and will see competition from Flair Airlines, which plans to launch seasonal flights from Toronto in mid-2026.
Moncton is the largest city in New Brunswick, strategically situated in the heart of the Canadian Maritimes. The city serves as a gateway to popular attractions such as Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, drawing tourists to its natural beauty.
