Why Intense Cold and Winter Storms Are Grounding Flights at Canadian Airports

Bitter cold weather is sweeping across Canada. This has caused intense cold flight delays and cancellations. Most of Canada's major airports are affected.

Toronto Pearson Faces Major Disruption

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) reported major disruption. More than 20 per cent of its over 900 scheduled flights were cancelled. Another 20 per cent of flights were delayed in the past 24 hours. This winter travel chaos left many passengers stranded.

Guilherme Holtz and his family faced a lengthy wait. Their connecting flight to Quebec City was cancelled. They had already flown 11 hours from Rio de Janeiro. Holtz described the long wait as exhausting.

Extreme Cold Weather Disruption

Extreme cold weather disruption is the primary cause. Environment Canada issued warnings for much of Ontario. Wind chill temperatures in Toronto and Ottawa fell below -30 C. In the Prairies, wind chills were expected to reach lows of -55 C.

The frigid temperatures will continue through the weekend. Significant snowfall is also forecast for Southern Ontario. Toronto could see between 15 and 30 centimetres of snow. Strong winds up to 50 km/h will reduce visibility.

Airline and Airport Response

Major carriers issued Air Canada WestJet advisories. Air Canada noted that extreme cold at Toronto and Montreal airports is causing delays. They offered customers the option to rebook at no cost. WestJet had similar advisories for several airports. These included Halifax, Moncton, and Quebec City. Advisories also covered US hubs like Atlanta and Houston.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is preparing for the snow. Crews are ready with over 100 pieces of snow removal equipment. Airport authorities urge passengers to check flight status.

Impact on Southbound Travel and Rebooking

The storm's effects are far-reaching. A severe winter storm in the US caused thousands of cancellations. This included many flights destined for Canada.

Southbound travellers were also impacted. Scott Lang and his wife had two flights cancelled by Air Canada. Their second cancellation was due to severe weather in Houston, Texas. Lang had to scramble for new flights to Cancun. He secured a direct flight with Flair Airlines. Air Canada and WestJet offered travel credits. However, the couple is seeking a full refund.

Key Takeaways for Passengers

• Canadian airports flight cancellations are widespread due to wind chill temperatures Canada.
• Air Canada and WestJet offer no-cost rebooking options.
• The US winter storm is contributing to delays and cancellations.
• Passengers should check their flight status before heading to the airport.
• The cold snap is expected to ease slightly by Monday.

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