An aircraft sits stranded on the tarmac as heavy snow covers the airport. Travel Pulse Canada
A powerful winter storm caused major disruption at Toronto Pearson International Airport, grounding flights and stranding travelers as record snowfall blanketed the region. The storm dumped about 46 centimeters of snow on Sunday, setting a new one-day snowfall record at the airport.
Data from Environment Canada shows January snowfall totals at Pearson have now reached levels not seen in almost 100 years. The extreme weather conditions made travel difficult across much of Ontario and parts of Atlantic Canada.
Flight Cancellations Surge Across Canada
Flight tracking data revealed widespread cancellations across several major airports. According to Cirium, Halifax recorded the highest cancellation rate, with 66.67 percent of flights cancelled by late afternoon. Toronto followed at 32.90 percent, while Ottawa saw cancellations reach 26.83 percent.
At Pearson alone, airlines cancelled more than 500 scheduled arrivals and departures by Sunday. Early data showed roughly 41 percent of outbound flights did not operate, while nearly 62 percent of inbound flights were called off. Nearby Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport also felt the impact, cancelling close to 30 percent of its flights.
Crews Work Around the Clock
Airport crews continued snow removal and de-icing operations through the night. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority confirmed teams remained active on runways, taxiways, and aircraft gates to restore operations safely.
“Air traffic management initiatives remain in place to safely manage aircraft movements,” airport officials reported Monday morning.
“The severe winter weather impacted flights to and from Toronto Pearson, and flight schedules may change throughout the day as airlines work to restore normal operations following yesterday’s delays and cancellations.
“Flights to and from Atlantic Canada and certain parts of the U.S. may be impacted today as the system moves through the region.
Passengers are advised to check directly with their airline before coming to the airport. Those traveling to Toronto Pearson should allow extra time. For passengers taking the UP Express, please note it is operating every 30 minutes.”
Airlines Offer Flexibility
Major carriers, including Air Canada and WestJet, introduced travel waivers and flexible rebooking options for affected passengers. Airlines urged customers to monitor flight updates and adjust travel plans as needed.
The storm formed part of a wider winter system sweeping across North America. Travelers connecting through U.S. airports also reported long delays and last-minute cancellations, adding to travel frustrations.
Gradual Recovery Expected
Airport officials described the situation as a “multi-day recovery,” noting that restoring normal schedules takes time after a storm of this scale. Pearson aims to resume full operations by Tuesday, weather permitting.
For now, travelers face continued uncertainty as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Officials continue to urge patience as cleanup efforts continue.
