Full Breakdown
Porter Airlines Flight Slides Off Tarmac at Halifax Airport Amid Heavy Snow
2/12/2026, 8:25:47 PM
Incident Overview
On the evening of February 1, 2023, a Porter Airlines flight arriving from Toronto experienced a significant incident upon landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The aircraft, which landed at approximately 8:21 p.m., slid off the runway into the snow while attempting to exit onto the taxiway. Passengers aboard the flight reported that the landing itself was uneventful, but the plane began to slide as it transitioned to the taxiway. Samuel Gaboury, a passenger, described the conditions as extremely poor, stating, "Visibility was zero, was really, really bad… You could barely see like a feet in front of you."
Passenger Experience
Following the incident, passengers were stranded on the plane for approximately 2½ hours. Gaboury noted that initial attempts to bring boarding stairs to facilitate their disembarkation were unsuccessful due to the stairs "spinning out of control." Eventually, crews managed to position the stairs, allowing passengers to exit and board buses that transported them to the terminal. Despite the challenging circumstances, Gaboury remarked that passengers did not appear overly worried or scared, and confirmed that there were no injuries among the 59 passengers and five crew members.
Official Responses and Investigations
Porter Airlines issued a statement acknowledging that the aircraft became "disabled in snow off of the taxiway after landing due to weather conditions." The airline confirmed that resources were en route to tow the aircraft for inspection, and an investigation would be conducted to determine the specifics of the incident. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is also involved, collecting information and assessing the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's slide.
Weather Conditions and Airport Operations
The incident occurred during a severe snowstorm that impacted operations at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Tiffany Chase, a spokesperson for the airport authority, indicated that several flights had been delayed or canceled due to the adverse weather conditions. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Conclusion
As of the following morning, the runway remained closed pending the removal of the aircraft. The situation highlights the challenges posed by severe winter weather on aviation safety and operations, prompting discussions about the appropriateness of landing decisions under such conditions.
