A powerful snowstorm caused widespread flight cancellations across southern Ontario and Quebec on Sunday, disrupting travel at major airports including Toronto and Montreal.
By Sahil
Date:26 January
A winter snowstorm sweeping through southern Ontario and Quebec on Sunday caused major disruptions to air travel, forcing airlines to cancel hundreds of flights and leaving travelers stranded at some of Canada’s busiest airports.
Heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and rapidly deteriorating runway conditions created operational challenges throughout the day, particularly at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, where cancellation boards quickly filled up.
Major Airports Hit Hard
Toronto Pearson, Canada’s largest airport, experienced waves of cancellations as airlines struggled to manage de-icing operations and aircraft availability. Delays quickly cascaded across schedules, affecting both domestic and international routes.
In Quebec, Montreal-Trudeau faced similar issues, with reduced visibility and snow-covered runways slowing departures and arrivals. Smaller regional airports across southern Ontario and Quebec were also impacted, further limiting travel options for passengers.
Passengers Face Delays and Uncertainty
Many travelers arrived at airports hoping conditions might improve, only to be met with last-minute cancellations. Long lines formed at airline service counters as passengers sought rebooking options, often finding the next available flights pushed back by a day or more.
Hotels near major airports reported increased demand as stranded passengers searched for overnight accommodations.
Airlines and Officials Stress Safety
Airlines emphasized that cancellations were necessary to ensure passenger safety, noting that winter storms can quickly overwhelm even well-prepared airport operations. Snow accumulation, icy surfaces, and high winds make takeoffs and landings especially risky.
Weather officials warned that fluctuating temperatures could worsen conditions, with blowing snow and icy patches expected to persist into the evening.
Disruptions Likely to Continue
Even as snowfall begins to ease, travel disruptions are expected to linger. Aircraft and flight crews displaced by Sunday’s cancellations will need to be repositioned, potentially affecting schedules into the early part of the week.
Airlines are advising passengers traveling through southern Ontario and Quebec to monitor flight updates closely and take advantage of flexible rebooking policies where available.
Winter Weather’s Ongoing Impact
Sunday’s storm serves as another reminder of how quickly winter weather can disrupt Canada’s transportation networks. For now, travelers are urged to remain patient, plan ahead, and allow extra time as airports work to recover from the storm’s impact.