Cleanup at Calgary airport continues after powerful storm; flights operational

Flights are operating at Calgary International Airport (YYC) after the facility suffered damage Monday night (Aug. 5) during a powerful hail and rain storm. 

As previously reported, YYC experienced significant water damage to part of its terminal, where the B gates at the Domestic Terminal Building were closed Monday night.

Issuing a statement yesterday, the Calgary Airport Authority noted that all guests and employees were safely cleared from that impacted area and directed to safe locations. But the airport remains open and operational.

“While it is not yet known when the B gates will reopen, YYC can support our airline partners’ full commercial schedule as it recovers. Guests are encouraged to check with their airline for flight updates,” wrote the airport authority.

But it looked like quite the storm.  Video footage posted to the social media platform X showed large chunks of YYC’s ceiling falling to the floor as heavy rainwater poured into the terminal on Monday night. 

“We recognize this storm and the resulting damage and experience could have been troubling and even scary,” YYC wrote on its website. “This event has had a major impact on operations, and also people.’

“Please know we are taking every action possible to ensure their safety and comfort. We thank our guests for their patience and cooperation as we work to recover from the storm.”

Update on gates & car centre at YYC

The B gates remain closed and water damage to this area of the terminal continues to be assessed, said YYC, adding that it won’t know when the gate will reopen.

Some C gates are impacted, the airport added, saying that most gates remain operational.

The airport’s D (international/domestic) and E (U.S.) gates were not impacted by the storm and remain fully operational.

In response to the closure of all B gates and impacts to C gates, YYC says it is working with its airline partners to reaccommodate flights to gates that were not affected.

“Our White Hat Volunteers and guest experience teams are on the floor answering questions, providing directions, handing out water and snacks to guests whose travel itineraries have been disrupted as a result of the weather event,” the airport said.

The Rental Car Centre is currently closed. However, all companies remain open and are able to assist guests, the airport said.

Guests will need to access the booths/kiosks that have been set up by the rental car companies on Level 3 of the P1 Parkade.

The elevator inside the Rental Car Centre from the Arrivals Level is also closed – guests can use the elevators in the Parkade across from Door 9.

Meanwhile, restoration crews are working around the clock to repair damage to affected areas of the terminal.

The airport said the total cost of the storm damage, and the amount of time required to complete repairs, are not known at this time.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Calgary area at around 8 p.m. Monday night, warning of an incoming thunderstorm capable of producing powerful wind gusts, baseball-sized hail and heavy rain.

The national weather service said the strongest winds were recorded in Tilley, Alta., where gusts reached 100 km/h.

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