WestJet flight from Toronto slides off runway at Halifax airport

People on a packed WestJet plane travellingfrom Torontowere unharmed when theBoeing 737-800 slid off the runway after landing atHalifax Stanfield International Airport Sunday amid snowy conditions.

WestJetsaid shortly after 3 p.m. that all passengers and crew members haveleft the plane safely.

Seven crew members and 172 passengers were on board WestJet248. The airline said in a statement that itis still investigating what happened but that it appearedthe plane landed normally before leaving the runway shortly after 12 p.m.

"We'll obviously look into what happened in the incident of this particular aircraft, and take any learnings that we can into account," said Tiffany Chase, spokesperson for Halifax International Airport Authority.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released a statement saying it has sent an investigative team to Halifax to gather information and assess the situation

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WestJet also said it's working with the airport authority to ensure people are able to access their luggage as soon as possible.

Passenger Eric Wynnesaid the flight crewkept people calm and that no one appeared to be hurt after the landing.

"The pilots did an awesome job," Wynne said.

He said it appeared the plane continued off the end of the runway onto an unpaved area.

"When we approached the runway, there was a bit of rocking side to side due to wind ... but [I] didn't expect to run off the end of the runway," he said.

Wynne said firefighters were outside assessing the damage andpassengers were waiting forbuses to take them to the terminal.

"We're fine, we're safe," he said.

Passenger Stephen Crouchmansaid, aside from some rocking during the landing, everything seemed calm.

"I really didn't know anything was wrong until I looked out the window and there was grass on both sides of the plane," he said.

Crouchman said he was on the plane for about 45 minutes before being able to disembark and take the bus tothe terminal.

"I was expecting to be there for quite a while, but they were pretty efficient at coming out to get us," he said.

In its statement, WestJet apologized to its guests andsaid it would be working with them to provide water as well as help with meals, hotels and accommodations, if needed.

The airport authority said the plane was later removedand the runway reopened by 10 p.m. Sunday.

Poor weather in Halifax area

The airline cancelled a flight to and from St. John's as well as a Halifax-Toronto flight as a result of the incident.The airline has not said if there was any damage to the aircraft.

It snowed in the Halifax region throughoutSundaywith temperatureshovering slightly below freezing. Environment Canada has issued special weather statements and winter stormwarnings across the province.

There are several delayed and some cancelled departures and arrivals involving other airlines at the Halifax airport. It's unclear if they're connected to the WestJet flight or the poor weather.

Chase said the best way for anyone travelling to find out if their flights have been delayed or cancelled is to contact the airline directly.