How Winter Storms Are Impacting Flight Delays at Canada's Major Airports

December 24, 2025 at 05:28 PM•2 min read

Canadian airlines face significant flight delays and cancellations at major hubs like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver as winter storms and peak holiday

Key Points

1A major winter storm on December 22 caused 55 cancellations and 471 delays across Canada's major airports, according to FlightAware data.
2Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) recorded 272 delays and 24 cancellations from one storm system, impacting Air Canada and WestJet operations significantly.
3Airlines offered flexible rebooking waivers for travelers affected by the severe weather, though compensation rules exempt weather-related disruptions.
4The holiday travel period continues to face high passenger volumes and the threat of ongoing weather-related delays across the Canadian aviation network.

The holiday season brings peak passenger volumes and complex weather. This combination is currently challenging Canada’s major airports. Flight delays and cancellations are impacting travelers nationwide.

Winter Storms Drive Aviation Network Stress

Severe winter weather is the main factor in recent disruptions. An Atlantic system swept across central and eastern Canada. This storm caused widespread aviation network stress just before Christmas. Another storm system impacted Western Canada on December 24. It brought heavy snow and low visibility to the Prairies.

Key Airport Disruption Statistics

Major hubs reported significant operational setbacks. One storm on December 22 caused 55 cancellations across the country. It also resulted in 471 total flight delays and cancellations. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) was heavily affected. It logged 272 delays and 24 cancellations from the storm. Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) recorded 97 delays during the same period. Vancouver International (YVR) saw 102 delays due to the weather. Calgary International (YYC) temporarily suspended flights due to snow.

Airline and Passenger Impact

Major carriers are bearing the brunt of the disruptions. Air Canada and WestJet experienced the highest numbers. Air Canada reported 100 delayed departures from Pearson alone. This represented 32 percent of its scheduled operations there. WestJet also scrubbed several flights and warned of rolling effects.

Mitigation and Passenger Rights

Airlines offered flexible rebooking policies for affected travelers. This allowed passengers to change bookings without penalty. Under Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers may claim compensation. This applies to delays over three hours within airline control. However, weather-related disruptions are typically exempt. Duty-of-care obligations, like meals and accommodations, still apply. This is true if rebooking cannot be completed within 48 hours.

Outlook for Holiday Travel

Airports entered a “holiday peak mode” anticipating high volumes. Toronto Pearson expected 171,000 passengers per day. Demand for both domestic and sunny destinations remains strong. Travelers must monitor real-time flight status updates closely. Checking with the airline or airport website is essential. Industry experts advise allowing extra time at the airport. For more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit https://flying.flights.

Operational Challenges

Airport crews work to clear snow and ice from runways. These clearing operations require periodic surface shutdowns. This necessary safety measure contributes to further delays. Tight flight schedules are vulnerable to these cascading effects. This highlights the fragility of the system during peak demand.