A potent Atlantic system sweeping across central and eastern Canada wreaked havoc on the country’s aviation network Sunday night and Monday morning, forcing 55 flight cancellations and 471 delays at major hubs, according to FlightAware data compiled by Travel & Tour World. Toronto Pearson alone logged 272 delays and 24 cancellations, while Montreal-Trudeau and Vancouver International recorded 97 and 102 delays respectively.
Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz and Porter bore the brunt. Air Canada reported 100 delayed departures—32 percent of its Pearson schedule—plus a long-haul cancellation of AC872 to Paris. WestJet scrubbed seven flights and warned of rolling knock-on effects through 23 December. Jazz, meanwhile, faced a 36 percent delay rate in Montreal.
![Winter Storm Grounds Flights Across Canada—55 Cancellations, 471 Delays and Counting]()
Environment Canada issued high-wind and heavy-rain warnings from Quebec to Newfoundland, knocking out power to 60,000 customers in Nova Scotia and 54,000 in New Brunswick. Flooding concerns prompted the closure of parts of the Trans-Canada Highway in eastern New Brunswick, complicating airport-ground transport.
For international travellers whose plans have been disrupted by the storm, VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can quickly clarify entry requirements, secure electronic travel authorizations, and expedite visa processing so that once flights resume, paperwork won’t be another obstacle.
Corporate travel managers are advising travellers to rebook non-essential trips or shift to virtual meetings. Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers delayed three hours or more may claim up to CA$1,000 in compensation when the cause is within airline control; weather-related disruptions are exempt, but duty-of-care obligations—meals, accommodations—still apply when airlines cannot rebook within 48 hours.
Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz and Porter bore the brunt. Air Canada reported 100 delayed departures—32 percent of its Pearson schedule—plus a long-haul cancellation of AC872 to Paris. WestJet scrubbed seven flights and warned of rolling knock-on effects through 23 December. Jazz, meanwhile, faced a 36 percent delay rate in Montreal.
Environment Canada issued high-wind and heavy-rain warnings from Quebec to Newfoundland, knocking out power to 60,000 customers in Nova Scotia and 54,000 in New Brunswick. Flooding concerns prompted the closure of parts of the Trans-Canada Highway in eastern New Brunswick, complicating airport-ground transport.
For international travellers whose plans have been disrupted by the storm, VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can quickly clarify entry requirements, secure electronic travel authorizations, and expedite visa processing so that once flights resume, paperwork won’t be another obstacle.
Corporate travel managers are advising travellers to rebook non-essential trips or shift to virtual meetings. Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers delayed three hours or more may claim up to CA$1,000 in compensation when the cause is within airline control; weather-related disruptions are exempt, but duty-of-care obligations—meals, accommodations—still apply when airlines cannot rebook within 48 hours.
