Arctic Cold Front Causing Flight Delays, Cancellations at Airports Across Canada

People walk through Pearson International Airport in Toronto on March 10, 2023. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

Flights across Canada have been delayed or cancelled as most of the country is under a cold weather warning.

Air Canada says severe winter weather conditions in Toronto and Montreal are causing delays, and that passengers can cancel or rebook at no cost.

The offer is for those that purchased an Air Canada ticket prior to Jan. 21 that includes a flight to, from, or through Toronto Pearson Airport between Jan. 23 and 26, the airline said on its website.

Air Canada said those with a connecting flight at Toronto’s airport between Jan. 21 and Jan. 26 can also change their itinerary to a non-stop flight or one that connects through a different airport at no charge.

The no-charge offer also applies for passengers with flights to, from, or through Montreal-Trudeau International Airport who bought the ticket before Jan. 21 and are travelling on Jan. 24 or 25, the website says.

WestJet has similar travel advisories on its website for passengers travelling to or from Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Ottawa, Windsor, and Montreal. The airline said those looking to change or cancel their flights between Jan. 24 and Jan. 27 can do so at no cost.

Toronto International Airport said it was “closely monitoring” the impact of the cold weather on operations.

“Departing aircraft are moving through the Central Deicing Facility, where deicing operations are underway,” the airport said in a post on X.

The airport also said that crews were preparing for snow removal as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has forecast between 10 and 20 centimetres for Toronto on Jan. 25. The agency said that higher amounts are possible.

“With the potential for inclement weather, passengers with scheduled flights are encouraged to check their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport,” Toronto International Airport said.

ECCC has issued several yellow and orange warnings, which are issued for hazardous and severe weather conditions respectively, as a cold front moves across the country.

In Ontario, Quebec, and parts of Atlantic Canada, the agency says that a “prolonged period” of very cold wind chills is expected as an Arctic airmass moves through the region, with temperatures to reach between minus 40 or minus 45 degrees Celsius.

The agency said that the cold weather poses a higher risk to young children, older adults, those with chronic illnesses, those who work or exercise outdoors, and those who are homeless. ECCC recommends covering up as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin.

Environment Canada has advised drivers to keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, including extra blankets and jumper cables, and for those outdoors to watch for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, and numbness or colour change in fingers and toes.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba are in the midst of an extreme cold, with wind chills reaching between -45 and -55 degrees Celsius.

Environment Canada has recommended wearing layers of clothing for those going outside, to make sure that home heating systems are working efficiently, and that drafts are sealed.