Published on November 5, 2025
Thousands of travelers are currently stranded across Canada as a powerful storm wreaks havoc on flights. Air Canada, Air Inuit, Delta, PAL Airlines, and Alaska Airlines are among the major carriers facing 68 cancellations and 166 delays due to severe weather conditions. Vancouver, St. John’s, Puvirnituq, Sable Island, and other key locations are seeing widespread disruption. The extreme weather, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding, is causing significant flight interruptions, leaving passengers scrambling for alternate arrangements. Storms have forced airlines to cancel numerous flights and delay others, leading to a ripple effect on both domestic and international routes. Travelers in impacted areas should remain alert for updates, as this situation is expected to last through the day, with some flights facing even longer delays. It’s essential to stay connected with airlines and airport services for rebooking options and more information.
Powerful Weather System to Hit Atlantic Canada
A weather bomb—the rapid intensification of a low-pressure system—is set to strike Atlantic Canada, specifically affecting Newfoundland and Cape Breton. The storm is expected to reach its peak intensity by Tuesday evening, when winds could gust up to 130 km/h, with waves reaching up to 8 meters in some coastal areas.
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St. John’s, Newfoundland is one of the hardest-hit cities, with powerful gusts exceeding 100 km/h expected for over 12 hours. The storm is expected to cause significant disruptions, including downed trees, localized flooding, and coastal erosion, further exacerbating travel issues.
Storm Characteristics and Impacts
- Wind Gusts: The strongest winds will be in eastern Newfoundland, with gusts of 90-100 km/h in most areas, and gusts exceeding 120 km/h near Sable Island and the southeastern coasts, including St. John’s.
- Rainfall: Heavy rain is forecasted, with 30-60 mm (locally higher) expected in parts of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. This will increase the risk of flooding and structural damage.
- Coastal Erosion: With waves reaching 6-8+ meters at high tide, areas like Burin Peninsula and southern Avalon face coastal flooding risks.
Impact on Air Travel
The storm’s impact on local infrastructure is contributing to flight cancellations and delays. Key airports affected by these disruptions include Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Puvirnituq. Passengers traveling through these airports, particularly those flying on Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Inuit, are advised to check for updates regularly, as the storm is expected to cause ongoing delays and cancellations.
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In addition to flight disruptions, Marine Atlantic has also cancelled ferry crossings through Wednesday morning due to the severe storm.
Total Delays and Cancellations Today
Across multiple airports in Canada, the total number of delays today stands at 166, with 68 cancellations. The most affected airports include Vancouver International, Toronto Pearson International, Montreal-Trudeau, and Halifax International.
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- Total Delays: 166
- Total Cancellations: 68
Affected Airports, Cities, and Countries
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Several major airports across Canada have experienced disruptions, particularly at Vancouver International, Toronto Pearson International, Montreal-Trudeau, Halifax International, and Puvirnituq. The airports are seeing a mixture of delays and cancellations that are frustrating travelers both in the domestic and international flight sectors.
- Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver, Canada): With 29 delays and 2 cancellations.
- Toronto Pearson International (Toronto, Canada): A total of 66 delays and 11 cancellations have been recorded.
- Montreal-Trudeau International (Montreal, Canada): 42 delays and 6 cancellations affecting both domestic and international travelers.
- Halifax International Airport (Halifax, Canada): Passengers are facing 7 delays and 5 cancellations today.
- Puvirnituq Airport (Puvirnituq, Canada): This remote northern airport saw 6 delays and 4 cancellations, with the majority of disruptions caused by local carrier Air Inuit.
International flights have also been significantly affected, with airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Delta Air Lines, and Air France seeing disruptions on their routes.
Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver, Canada)
Vancouver International Airport is facing significant delays today, with 29 flights delayed and 2 cancellations. Passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes are advised to check flight statuses and communicate with their airlines for updates.
Toronto Pearson International (Toronto, Canada)
Toronto Pearson International Airport has been one of the most impacted locations today, with a total of 66 delays and 11 cancellations. A large portion of the cancellations and delays are attributed to Air Canada and WestJet, two of Canada’s largest airlines. International flights from carriers such as Delta Air Lines and Air France are also experiencing delays, adding to the congestion at the airport.
Montreal-Trudeau International (Montreal, Canada)
At Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, 42 delays and 6 cancellations are causing disruptions. Air Canada continues to see the most significant impact, with a mixture of domestic and international flights affected. Other airlines, including Jazz and WestJet, are also experiencing delays.
Halifax International Airport (Halifax, Canada)
Halifax International Airport is seeing relatively fewer disruptions compared to larger airports, but still faces 7 delays and 5 cancellations. Airlines like PAL Airlines, Porter Airlines, and WestJet are seeing the most cancellations.
Puvirnituq Airport (Puvirnituq, Canada)
Puvirnituq Airport in northern Canada has experienced 6 delays and 4 cancellations today, with Air Inuit being the primary airline involved in these disruptions. This remote airport is heavily reliant on local carriers, so disruptions here may be more pronounced for travelers flying with regional airlines.
Airline-Specific Disruptions
Air Canada appears to be the most affected airline, with numerous cancellations and delays across multiple airports in Canada. The carrier has 30 cancellations and 47 delays spread across Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. WestJet, another major Canadian carrier, is also experiencing considerable disruptions, with 13 cancellations and 25 delays. Other airlines like Air Inuit and Porter Airlines are also seeing affected flights, though their impact has been less widespread.
What Affected Passengers Can Do Now
Passengers facing delays or cancellations should first check with their respective airlines for updates and rebooking options. In most cases, airlines will offer the possibility of rebooking on alternative flights or provide compensation in the form of meal vouchers or accommodation if the disruption lasts overnight. Travelers should also inquire about refund eligibility if the cancellation or delay significantly affects their plans.
For those traveling from airports like Toronto Pearson or Montreal-Trudeau, where delays are extensive, it’s advised to stay updated through airline apps or the airport’s real-time flight status board. In some cases, passengers might be eligible for financial compensation depending on the duration of the delay and whether the disruption was within the airline’s control.
Travelers departing from Vancouver and Halifax should also keep in mind that weather and operational delays may continue to impact flights, with some flights experiencing significant delays in reaching their final destinations.
Tips for Travelers During Disruptions
- Stay Informed: Regularly check flight statuses via airline apps or airport displays to avoid surprises.
- Plan Ahead: If you have connecting flights, reach out to your airline to ensure the best possible alternatives are available.
- Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your airline’s policies on compensation for delays and cancellations.
- Keep Essential Items: Ensure that you have necessary items like medications, snacks, and chargers with you as delays can sometimes be lengthy.
Conclusion
With several airports in Canada dealing with substantial flight disruptions today, passengers should remain patient and proactive in managing their travel plans. The disruptions are likely to continue for the next several hours, so keeping informed is crucial for minimizing inconvenience.
Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports
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Tags: airport cancellations, flight rebooking, travel chaos, travel delays Canada, winter storms
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