Thousands of Passengers Impacted in Canada as Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz, Porter and More Airlines Cancel 350 and Delay 282 New Flights at Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa, and St. John’s

Thousands of passengers in Canada are facing significant disruptions today as Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz, Porter, and several other airlines cancelled 350 and delayed 282 flights. Major cities like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Ottawa, and St. John’s have been severely impacted, leaving travelers stranded or uncertain about their travel plans. The massive delays and cancellations are linked to extreme weather conditions caused by a severe US winter storm. These storms have disrupted air traffic across the US and Canada, causing a ripple effect at key airports.

Passengers are being advised to stay in contact with their airlines for updates and potential rebooking options. The chaos has left many uncertain, with several flights grounded, making it crucial for all impacted travelers to plan ahead and explore alternative options for their journey.

Severe US Winter Storms Are Driving Flight Chaos and Rippling Into Canada

Today’s flight disruption data from Canada’s major airlines isn’t happening in isolation — it’s part of a widespread weather crisis rooted in severe storms across the United States, especially a powerful nor’easter and blizzard system hitting the US Northeast and East Coast.

Meteorologists and travel reporting confirm that a massive winter storm system — often called a nor’easter and labelled “Winter Storm Hernando” — has brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions, strong winds and widespread cancellations across key US air hubs like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Newark and other major airports.

These conditions have grounded planes, forced airport closures, and created cascading delays and cancellations throughout the US airspace system. Because Canada’s airline network (especially Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz (ACA) and others) operates flights into and out of US hubs on a daily basis, the storm’s impact ripples northward — even when Canadian weather is normal.

Planes delayed by snow and blizzard conditions in the US can’t reposition on time. Crews reach duty limits sooner, gates and runways clog, and airlines struggle to maintain connections. That’s why delays and cancellations in Canada today are inflated — even for flights that had no Canadian weather issues.

Total Travel Disruptions in Canada

Severe winter storms sweeping across the United States have caused massive travel disruptions throughout North America, significantly affecting Canadian airports and airlines. Today, total delays at major Canadian airports have reached 282, while 350 cancellations have been recorded. These disruptions are a direct result of adverse weather conditions in the US, specifically a powerful nor’easter affecting major US hubs like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. As flights to and from Canadian airports are delayed or cancelled, passengers are left wondering how to navigate the chaos.

Major Canadian Airports Impacted by US Storms

The following airports in Canada are experiencing significant flight disruptions:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport: With 127 delays and 151 cancellations, Toronto Pearson has been one of the most heavily impacted airports. As a major international hub connecting Canada to the US and beyond, the cascading effect from US storms is evident in the high numbers of cancellations and delays.
• Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: Today’s disruptions at Montreal-Trudeau include 44 delays and 69 cancellations. The storm’s ripple effect is seen in the delay of both international and domestic flights.
• Vancouver International Airport: Vancouver reports 82 delays and 19 cancellations, mainly affecting flights traveling from East Coast US airports.
• Halifax International Airport: While Halifax has reported fewer delays (9) and cancellations (54), it is still affected by the storm-induced chaos in the US.
• St. John’s International Airport: With 3 delays and 28 cancellations, the airport is seeing the effects of stormy weather, even though it has a smaller number of disruptions.
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport: Ottawa is also experiencing 17 delays and 24 cancellations, likely due to delays from US flights entering Canada.
• CFB Goose Bay: This military airport, which serves limited domestic routes, has recorded 5 cancellations but no delays.

Airlines Affected by the Storms

Canadian airlines are grappling with significant disruptions due to these US-wide storms. The airlines most impacted by delays and cancellations today include:

• Air Canada: With 42 cancellations (7%) and 77 delays (14%), Air Canada has been one of the hardest-hit carriers. As the largest Canadian airline, it services numerous routes to the US, where the storm’s impact is felt the most.
• WestJet: 31 cancellations (6%) and 75 delays (16%) have been recorded for WestJet, which operates numerous cross-border flights.
• Jazz (ACA): A regional airline operating for Air Canada, Jazz has seen 104 cancellations (26%) and 47 delays (11%), with most of these related to connecting flights from US airports.
• PAL Airlines: This regional carrier has faced 33 cancellations (37%) and 1 delay (1%), showing a disproportionate impact due to the storm’s reach.
• Porter Airlines: 25 cancellations (10%) and 36 delays (15%) have been reported, primarily affecting routes between Canadian cities and US airports.
• Air Canada Rouge: A subsidiary of Air Canada, Rouge has experienced 9 cancellations (8%) and 11 delays (10%), contributing to the overall impact on Canadian passengers.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

If you are currently traveling or planning to travel through any of these impacted Canadian airports, here are a few steps to help you manage the disruptions:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly check with your airline’s website or mobile app for real-time updates regarding your flight status.
2. Contact the Airline: For cancellations, contact the airline immediately to inquire about rebooking options or possible compensation for the disruption.
3. Know Your Rights: Canadian travelers are entitled to compensation for certain delays and cancellations under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Depending on the delay duration, compensation may be provided.
4. Consider Alternative Routes: If your flight has been canceled, look for alternative routes to your destination or consider other transportation options.
5. Arrive Early: For any remaining flights, be sure to arrive at the airport well in advance to accommodate any extra security measures or check-in processes due to the high volume of disruptions.

Conclusion

Today’s travel disruptions at Canadian airports are a direct result of the severe winter storms battering the US East Coast. With 282 delays and 350 cancellations affecting major hubs like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, it is clear that the ripple effect of these storms has disrupted not just the US but Canada’s air traffic as well. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed, reach out to airlines for rebooking options, and know their rights regarding compensation during such disruptions.

Source: FlightAware and affected airports

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