Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Severe winter weather sweeping across large parts of Canada has thrown air travel into disarray, forcing airlines to cancel or delay hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports.
Operations were heavily affected at key hubs in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Halifax as bitter cold, strong winds and heavy snowfall created hazardous conditions for aircraft movements and ground handling. According to airport authorities and flight tracking data, more than 225 flights were cancelled while over 300 departures and arrivals faced delays through the day.
Toronto Pearson International Airport recorded the highest number of disruptions, with widespread cancellations and long departure backlogs. Similar scenes were reported at Montreal-Trudeau and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier airports, where snow accumulation and freezing temperatures slowed runway operations. In Atlantic Canada, Halifax Stanfield International Airport also experienced significant delays, while Vancouver International Airport dealt with de-icing challenges and poor visibility.
Meteorologists warned that the country is currently under the grip of one of the harshest cold spells of the season, accompanied by heavy snow and dangerous wind chills. Environment Canada said wind chill values in parts of southern Ontario plunged to nearly minus 30 degrees Celsius, while snowfall totals in some regions approached 30 centimetres. The adverse conditions are expected to persist through the weekend.
Major carriers including Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Jazz, American Airlines and several regional operators were impacted, prompting airlines to issue travel advisories and flexible rebooking policies. Ground crews struggled to keep pace with snow removal and aircraft de-icing, compounding delays across already congested terminals.
Inside terminals, frustrated passengers faced long lines at service counters and limited hotel availability as rebooking options quickly filled. Many travelers reported spending hours waiting for updates, while some were forced to postpone trips indefinitely.
Airport authorities urged travelers to monitor flight statuses closely before heading to terminals and to allow extra time for check-in and security screening. Airlines also advised passengers to stay alert for text and email alerts regarding schedule changes.
As winter conditions continue to grip much of the country, aviation officials cautioned that further disruptions remain possible. Passengers with upcoming travel plans are being encouraged to remain flexible and prepared for last-minute changes as airlines work to restore normal operations.
