Montreal, Canada: An Air Canada aircraft arriving from Los Angeles veered off a taxiway after landing at Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Thursday, temporarily shutting down one of the airport’s runways, disrupting flight operations and prompting an emergency response. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
The incident occurred after the aircraft landed safely and was taxiing toward the terminal. While exiting the runway via a high-speed taxiway, the aircraft left the paved surface and came to rest with its landing gear in the adjacent grass. Images from the scene showed the aircraft upright with no visible signs of major structural damage or fire.
Airport emergency vehicles responded immediately and surrounded the aircraft as a precaution while crews assessed the situation and ensured there were no fuel leaks or fire hazards. Passengers remained safe throughout the incident, and no injuries were reported.
The aircraft remained stranded on the grassy area for several hours while recovery operations were carried out. The excursion forced Montréal-Trudeau Airport to temporarily close its north runway, reducing airport capacity and triggering delays, cancellations and operational disruptions across Air Canada’s network.
Several arriving aircraft were delayed or held while the affected runway remained unavailable. The disruption also impacted flights to and from several Canadian cities, including Vancouver, with airlines adjusting schedules as airport crews worked to remove the aircraft and restore normal operations.
Although some reports noted wet weather and rain in the Montreal area around the time of the occurrence, aviation authorities have not indicated whether weather played any role in the incident. Likewise, there has been no official confirmation regarding any mechanical issue or flight crew-related factor.
The event is being classified as a taxiway excursion rather than a runway accident. The aircraft landed safely before leaving the paved taxiway during ground movement, distinguishing the occurrence from an accident during takeoff or landing.
The incident comes as airlines and airport operators continue to emphasize the importance of safe ground operations, where taxiway excursions, although relatively uncommon, can still cause significant operational disruption despite causing no injuries.
Airport operations gradually resumed after recovery crews removed the aircraft and the affected runway was returned to service.
