Nearly one-in-four flights were cancelled at Vancouver International Airport yesterday as the lower B.C. mainland was belted by a winter storm and heavy snow.
In a note posted on their Twitter feed just before midnight local time on Saturday airport officials said that winter weather continues at YVR with more heavy, wet snow expected to arrive.
“Our snow response team remains fully mobilized & de-icing facility is operational. Our Guest Experience team is providing support in-terminal to passengers impacted by delays. ”
The website flightaware.com said 74 outgoing flights cancelled at Vancouver International yesterday (Feb. 25). That’s roughly 24% of all flights. For incoming flights, the cancellations stood at 61 (19%).
As of 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, 26 outgoing flights (8%) had been cancelled at YVR, while 39 incoming flights had been called off (13%).
Flightaware said WestJet Encore cancelled 29 flights on Saturday, or 20%. For mainline WestJet, it was 36 cancellations (11%). Air Canada had 52 cancellations (10%)
“We are monitoring weather closely and working with airlines and our many partners to ensure as many passengers and planes can get on their way as quickly and safely as possible,” YVR officials said in a statement posted on their website on Saturday.
“Our equipment and crews are ready. Our de-icing facility is fully operational. Airlines have been asked to ensure full towing capacity during the snow event so that empty aircraft are not stuck at gates preventing other planes from being able to de-plane passengers. Additionally, YVR is ensuring the ability to modify how we gate planes to optimize operations if necessary and keep passengers moving.
“Latest updates will continue to be available on Twitter @yvrairport and @yvraeroport and at yvr.ca.”
Air Canada’s website states that snow could impact operations today at YVR, as well as at Victoria International Airport.
“Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy to make it easier for customers travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting,” officials said.
WestJet also was warning of snow at airports in the lower British Columbia mainland and said that “flexible change/cancel guidelinesare in effect.”
Vancouver was hit by a major storm just before Christmas last year, sparking massive cancellations.
