Toronto Pearson Airport’s emergency response teams praised for handling Delta flight accident efficiently

Delta teams continue to respond to the single-aircraft accident involving Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, which occurred on Monday. In total, 21 injured passengers were initially transported to local hospitals, and as of Tuesday morning, 19 have been released.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “Our most pressing priority remains taking care of all customers and Endeavor crew members who were involved. We’ll do everything we can to support them and their families in the days ahead, and I know the hearts, thoughts and prayers of the entire Delta community are with them. We are grateful for all the first responders and medical teams who have been caring for them.”

The incident response team was deployed to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on Monday evening, including specially trained Delta Care Team representatives, to offer support to customers, employees, and their loved ones. Endeavor Air’s leadership team also joined to ensure full cooperation with investigators.

Delta and Delta Connection flights have resumed at YYZ, but two Delta flights are operating with larger aircraft to improve arrival and departure capacity. A travel waiver remains in effect on Delta.com for YYZ customers until Feb. 20.

Credit: The Guardian 

What was Toronto Pearson Airport’s response?

Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson, addressed the situation, stating, “First and foremost, there was no loss of life, and this is due to our heroic and trained professionals, our first responders at the airport.”

Flint continued, “The facts of the matter are that Delta Airlines Flight 4819 from Minneapolis to Toronto, operated by subsidiary Endeavor Air, was involved in a single aircraft accident upon landing at Toronto Pearson. Airport emergency workers mounted a textbook response, reaching the site within minutes and quickly evacuating the passengers.”

She highlighted that there were no fatalities, stating, “17 injured passengers were quickly taken to local area hospitals. At this time, we do not know of any of those passengers having critical injuries. We halted further arrivals and departures on our remaining 3 runways. Those runways were reopened at approximately 5:50 p.m. The other runways will remain closed while the investigation takes place.”

Flint further expressed, “Again, we are very grateful that there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries. We are very focused on the care and concern of the passengers and the crew, some of whom have already been reunified with their friends and their families. Others we have in a comfortable place right here at the airport in an environment where they’re getting a lot of care and support from my staff. Delta Airlines is also continuing to provide customer care and information for passengers.”

She concluded, “No airport CEO wants to have these types of press conferences, but this is exactly what our emergency operations and our first responder partners are all practiced and trained for, and again, this outcome is due in part to their heroic work, and I thank them profusely. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved, and we will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.”

Flint also noted that some operational impact and delays would occur at the airport over the coming days as two runways remain closed for the investigation. Travelers are advised to continue checking the website and stay in touch with their respective carriers for updates.

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