Thousands of passengers across Canada are facing major travel disruptions as severe winter weather forces airlines to cancel 127 flights and delay 343 more. Leading carriers including Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, Porter Airlines, and several regional operators have been affected, leaving travelers stranded at key airports such as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Halifax, and Montreal.
A powerful cold front sweeping across the country has brought dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, and poor visibility, severely impacting airport operations. In Toronto, wind chills plunged to nearly -30°C, creating difficult conditions for aircraft movement, ground handling, and de-icing procedures. The extreme cold is expected to persist through the weekend, increasing uncertainty for passengers waiting to travel.
Toronto Pearson International Airport has been the worst hit, reporting around 80 cancellations and more than 160 delays, making it the most disrupted airport in the country. The freezing conditions have slowed ground services and affected both international and domestic departures. Montreal-Trudeau Airport is also experiencing heavy disruption, with multiple cancellations and over 70 delayed flights, as snow and freezing temperatures strain airport capacity.
Smaller airports have not been spared. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport has recorded several cancellations and delays, while Halifax Stanfield Airport is also facing operational challenges due to harsh winter conditions. Though the numbers are lower than major hubs, the impact on passengers remains significant, particularly for regional connections.
Among airlines, Air Canada has seen the highest number of disruptions, accounting for dozens of cancellations and delays, especially at Toronto Pearson. Porter Airlines, Air Inuit, and PAL Airlines are also reporting widespread delays, mainly on regional and short-haul routes.
Passengers are being advised to monitor flight updates closely, rebook promptly if affected, and prepare for extended waiting times at airports. With extreme weather continuing, travelers should expect ongoing disruptions and remain flexible with their travel plans as Canada’s aviation network works to recover.
