Thick Fog Snarls Vancouver International Airport Flights; Check Your Status Now

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 20, 2026 at 01:29 AM•2 min read

AIRPORTS

Thick Fog Snarls Vancouver International Airport Flights; Check Your Status Now

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is experiencing widespread flight delays and cancellations due to heavy fog, impacting hundreds of travelers across...

Key Points

1Sixty-six flights were cancelled in a 24-hour period due to the heavy fog and resulting operational constraints at YVR.
2The fog advisory is caused by a ridge of high pressure trapping moisture near the surface, expected to persist until mid-week.
3YVR and NAV CANADA implemented Reduced Visibility Operations (RVOP) and Low Visibility Operations (LVOP) to maintain safety, requiring more space between aircraft.
4Passengers must check their flight's Runway Visual Range (RVR) status before heading to the Vancouver International Airport.

Heavy fog is causing widespread heavy fog flight disruptions at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Numerous YVR flight cancellations and delays began over the weekend. They continue to affect both arriving and departing aircraft. On Monday alone, 66 flights were cancelled over a 24-hour period. This created Lower Mainland travel chaos for many passengers.

Operational Impact of Reduced Visibility

The dense fog is the primary cause of the Vancouver International Airport delays. However, YVR notes that other factors also contribute to flight interruptions. These include weather at other destinations and airline network decisions. A spokesperson confirmed that the airport cannot pinpoint the exact number of flights affected solely by the fog.

Reduced visibility operations are now in effect. This is a standard safety protocol for commercial aviation. The airport works closely with NAV CANADA to manage the flow of air traffic. This is similar to leaving extra space between cars in heavy traffic.

Understanding Runway Visual Range

Visibility is measured using Runway Visual Range (RVR). RVR is the distance a pilot can see runway markings or lights. When visibility drops below 2,640 feet, Reduced Visibility Operations (RVOP) begin. Low Visibility Operations (LVOP) are triggered when RVR drops below 1,320 feet. This is roughly the length of four Vancouver city blocks.

Safety is the top priority for all NAV Canada safety calls. When visibility drops below 600 feet, an airport ground stop procedure may be activated. This means no aircraft can arrive or depart until conditions improve. YVR experienced a handful of ground stops over the weekend.

Weather Outlook and Traveler Advisory

Environment Canada issued a fog advisory for the region. A ridge of high pressure over British Columbia is trapping moisture near the surface. This creates the dense fog, especially near the Strait of Georgia and the Fraser River.

Forecasters expect visibility to improve during the afternoons. However, the fog is likely to redevelop each night. The high-pressure ridge is predicted to break down by mid-week. This will allow incoming weather systems to clear the fog.

Travelers must check flight status YVR before leaving for the airport. Passengers should contact their airline directly for rebooking information. Checking the YVR website for real-time updates is also strongly advised. This will help minimize disruption during this period of operational constraint.

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