A fast-moving winter storm sweeping across central and eastern Canada on 11 February has triggered more than 56 cancellations and 258 delays at major airports from Vancouver to St John’s, according to FlightAware data compiled by Travel and Tour World. Toronto Pearson, Montréal-Trudeau and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier bore the brunt, while regional carriers Air Inuit and Borealis faced particularly acute challenges in northern communities.
Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for Quebec and Ontario as accumulations of up to 15 cm coincided with the morning business-travel rush. Runway-clearing cycles at Montréal-Trudeau forced Air Canada, Jazz and WestJet to scrub 17 departures and hold another 66, cascading into missed connections across the network. Pearson reported ground delays of up to 90 minutes, prompting airlines to waive change fees and rebook passengers on later services.
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, travellers delayed more than three hours may be entitled to compensation unless the carrier proves the disruption is solely weather-related and beyond its control. Experts advise corporate travel managers to document delays carefully and to build additional buffer time into itineraries through the rest of the week, with lake-effect squalls forecast to linger.
![Snowstorm paralyses Canadian air network with 300+ flight disruptions in a single day]()
For international visitors whose itineraries have suddenly stretched or shifted, VisaHQ can help demystify any visa-extension requirements. The company’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets travellers submit applications online, track processing in real time and receive expert guidance—ensuring that paperwork stays in order even when winter weather doesn’t.
Cargo operators are also feeling the pinch. Missed overnight freighter slots at Pearson risk creating knock-on effects for just-in-time automotive parts heading to U.S. assembly plants. Airport authorities have activated de-icing contingency plans and called in contract snow-removal crews in anticipation of a second wave of precipitation overnight.
While Canada is no stranger to winter weather, the timing—landing squarely in the mid-February conference season—illustrates how even moderate storms can up-end global mobility. Travel-risk advisers are reminding expatriate staff newly arrived in Canada to register with company alert systems and to familiarise themselves with provincial winter-driving regulations before undertaking road journeys.
Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for Quebec and Ontario as accumulations of up to 15 cm coincided with the morning business-travel rush. Runway-clearing cycles at Montréal-Trudeau forced Air Canada, Jazz and WestJet to scrub 17 departures and hold another 66, cascading into missed connections across the network. Pearson reported ground delays of up to 90 minutes, prompting airlines to waive change fees and rebook passengers on later services.
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, travellers delayed more than three hours may be entitled to compensation unless the carrier proves the disruption is solely weather-related and beyond its control. Experts advise corporate travel managers to document delays carefully and to build additional buffer time into itineraries through the rest of the week, with lake-effect squalls forecast to linger.
For international visitors whose itineraries have suddenly stretched or shifted, VisaHQ can help demystify any visa-extension requirements. The company’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets travellers submit applications online, track processing in real time and receive expert guidance—ensuring that paperwork stays in order even when winter weather doesn’t.
Cargo operators are also feeling the pinch. Missed overnight freighter slots at Pearson risk creating knock-on effects for just-in-time automotive parts heading to U.S. assembly plants. Airport authorities have activated de-icing contingency plans and called in contract snow-removal crews in anticipation of a second wave of precipitation overnight.
While Canada is no stranger to winter weather, the timing—landing squarely in the mid-February conference season—illustrates how even moderate storms can up-end global mobility. Travel-risk advisers are reminding expatriate staff newly arrived in Canada to register with company alert systems and to familiarise themselves with provincial winter-driving regulations before undertaking road journeys.
