Snowstorm forces widespread flight cancellations at YYZ & YTZ

Severe winter weather is affecting flights at both Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) airports on Sunday (Jan. 25), and travellers are being advised to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.

According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, 41 per cent of scheduled flights, as of 10:45 a.m. EST, have been cancelled (and counting) at Pearson, while Billy Bishop has cancelled 30 per cent. 

Cirium's data includes both January 25 and 26 and covers both domestic and international flights.

In addition, 62 per cent of flights arriving to Toronto on Sunday have also been cancelled, reports CBC News.

Pearson airport says crews are working to clear the runways, and all outbound flights are being de-iced.

“Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before coming to the airport as the winter weather is impacting flight operations, and schedules may change throughout the day,” the airport wrote on X.

“Air traffic management initiatives are in place to ensure the safe movement of aircraft. Snow-clearing crews are actively out clearing runways, taxiways, and apron areas. Teams are operating continuous snowplow rotations to keep approximately 5 million square metres of airfield surfaces clear.”

“Departing aircraft will be routed through the Central Deicing Facility prior to takeoff. We will continue to provide operational updates throughout the day.”

Billy Bishop, located in downtown Toronto, reported that 23 outbound flights and 22 inbound flights were cancelled on Sunday.

According to Cirium, Ottawa (YOW) and Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) airports are seeing cancellations as well for Sunday, with rates of 19.76 per cent and 18.42 per cent, respectively.

Environment Canada has issued a severe orange weather alert for a snowstorm expected to dump up to 40 cm of snow across the Greater Toronto Area, with residents cautioned about hazardous travel and possible near-zero visibility.

Disruptions in the U.S.

Air travel disruptions extend to the United States as well, and are expected to continue into Monday, after a winter storm that caused airlines to cancel more than 14,000 U.S. flights over the weekend moves out. 

As reported, the storm brought heavy snow, ice, and sleet, followed by a blast of bitter cold across large parts of the country.

More than 1,870 U.S. flights were cancelled for Monday—significantly fewer than during the weekend, but still indicating airlines will need time to recover. 

About a third of Monday’s flights at New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports were scrapped, along with a quarter at Newark Liberty in New Jersey and more than half of departures from Boston.

So far, it appears only 21 flights scheduled for Tuesday have been cancelled.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.