The winter storm that swept through the U.S. and Eastern Canada over the last 24 hours is causing all kinds of travel headaches today (Feb. 23). The website flightaware.com reports 108 Air Canada Jazz flights had been cancelled as of 3 :30 p.m. Eastern Time. That’s roughly 23% of all flights. For mainline Air Canada, the website was showing 31 cancellations, or six per cent. WestJet had only a 4% cancellation rate as of that time (14 flights), but Swoop was showing 14 cancelled flights; 24% of their scheduled total for the day. Toronto Pearson airport was showing 81 outbound Read more
winter
An “historic” winter storm is moving across North America today, and weather experts warn that travel will be dangerous in many areas. Minnesota and Wisconsin were hit hard today (Feb. 22) as the storm moved east. As of 3 p.m. EST today, Minneapolis St. Paul Airport had seen 200 outgoing flights (46%) and 218 incoming flights (51%) cancelled. Milwaukee’s International Airport had seen cancellations for 35% of incoming flights and 62% of outgoing flights as of that time, while Detroit Metro Wayne International had more than 25% of incoming and outgoing flights cancelled, according to flightaware.com. The storm is expected Read more
Air Canada has launched a limited digital identification trial, becoming the first airline in Canada to offer customers facial recognition technology to confirm identification. In a pilot project currently underway, Air Canada’s digital identification is now available for customers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) when boarding select flights to Winnipeg, and for eligible customers entering the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air Canada plans to expand digital identification options to select Canadian airports and Maple Leaf Lounges as part of its pilot project phase. “Many of our customers already utilize digital credentials to simplify their daily Read more
The worst appears to be over for southern Ontario, but frigid temperatures and strong winds are still limiting travel for many. Roads are treacherous, and VIA Rail also is having trouble with trains in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor. CP24 reports passengers on a train heading from Ottawa to Toronto have been stuck on board a stalled train car for 17 hours. Airports appear to be recovering in Ontario and Quebec as the snow dissipates. “The last several days have been very challenging for the airlines and they’ve been proactively cancelling and delaying flights,” said Tori Gass, a spokesperson for Toronto Read more
Toronto Pearson says things were running smoothly early this afternoon, but that worse weather is on the way. Pearson officials said they’re “providing an operational update on the measures being taken to support air travel in anticipation of more severe weather later today.” The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) appreciates that this is an important time of year, and many people are planning to travel. All efforts are being made by airport staff to support travellers and our airline partners. Airlines continue to adjust their schedules and travellers are encouraged to contact their airline before coming to the airport. The Read more
