Canada Travel Thrown Into Chaos as Over 550 Flights Cancelled or Delayed Amid Severe Weather
Travelers across Canada faced major disruptions on Sunday, June 29, 2025, as intense summer storms battered the nation’s key transportation hubs. Severe weather conditions—marked by heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and drastically reduced visibility—triggered more than 550 flight delays and cancellations at Canada’s busiest airports: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, Montreal-Trudeau, and Halifax Stanfield.
With the travel rush of summer in full swing, the impact was widespread and deeply felt, stranding thousands of passengers and triggering cascading delays for airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Jazz Aviation, and dozens of international carriers.
Storm Sparks One of Summer’s Largest Travel Disruptions
The disruption unfolded as a fast-moving low-pressure system swept across British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and parts of Atlantic Canada, bringing volatile weather conditions that halted normal operations.
Flight status data revealed that 567 flights were affected nationwide, comprising 503 delays and 64 cancellations by the end of the day. The ripple effects extended across domestic and international routes, derailing holiday plans and business travel alike.
Airport personnel were forced to temporarily suspend ground handling, while air traffic control reduced runway capacity to ensure safety. Travelers faced chaotic terminal scenes, with long queues, sudden gate changes, and widespread confusion.
Airport-by-Airport Impact
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Ontario
As Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto bore the brunt of the disruptions.
- 195 flights delayed
- 20 flights cancelled
- Affected carriers included Porter Airlines (8 cancellations, 29 delays), Air Canada (5 cancellations, 31 delays), Jazz Aviation (5 cancellations, 25 delays), and WestJet (39 delays).
- International flights on Air France, Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, and Delta also reported disruptions.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), British Columbia
Vancouver faced a similar storm onslaught, recording:
- 167 delays
- 20 cancellations
- Carriers such as Air Canada (7 cancellations, 37 delays) and Jazz Aviation (3 cancellations, 33 delays) were particularly affected.
- WestJet Encore, Flair Airlines, and Pacific Coastal Airlines also experienced significant operational issues.
Notably, international delays were logged for Korean Air, Air India, Air France, Japan Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines, with some carriers experiencing a 100% delay rate on scheduled departures.
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Quebec
Montreal faced a combination of storm-related ground halts and equipment delays:
- 102 delayed flights
- 13 cancelled flights
- Most affected: Jazz Aviation (7 cancellations, 26 delays), Porter Airlines (4 cancellations, 9 delays), and PAL Airlines (2 cancellations).
- Disruptions were also seen on Emirates, Royal Air Maroc, TAP Portugal, and Swiss flights.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Nova Scotia
Although less impacted than larger hubs, Halifax still endured weather-related hold-ups:
- 22 delays
- 2 cancellations
- Disruptions primarily affected Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and Flair Airlines.
Toronto City Centre (Billy Bishop)
Due to its reliance on short-haul traffic, Billy Bishop saw nearly all its operations crippled:
- 17 delays
- 9 cancellations, most of them Porter Airlines flights.
National Snapshot of Affected Flights
| Airport | Delayed Flights | Cancelled Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson | 195 | 20 |
| Vancouver Intl | 167 | 20 |
| Montreal-Trudeau | 102 | 13 |
| Halifax Stanfield | 22 | 2 |
| Billy Bishop | 17 | 9 |
| Total | 503 | 64 |
Why Did It Happen?
According to Environment Canada, the storm was part of a larger pressure system moving from the Pacific into the Great Lakes and Atlantic regions. The system brought heavy precipitation, crosswinds exceeding 45 km/h, and rapid shifts in visibility, making landing and takeoff operations unsafe.
Compounding issues included airline crew rest-time regulations, cascading flight rotations, and congested gates due to delayed arrivals.
Passenger Tips and Airline Advisories
In response, Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines have issued travel advisories and waived rebooking and change fees for affected passengers.
Authorities urge travelers flying this week to:
- Check real-time flight status on airline apps and airport websites.
- Arrive early, especially at Toronto and Vancouver, where delays and long lines are ongoing.
- Use mobile check-in and self-bag drop to reduce queue times.
- Follow airport social media accounts for live updates.
Airlines have also encouraged passengers to avoid terminal crowding by only arriving if their flight is confirmed as scheduled.
More Disruptions Likely
The Canadian weather forecast warns of lingering instability in eastern Ontario and Atlantic Canada through midweek. With airlines still repositioning aircraft and staff, additional delays and cancellations are likely in the coming days.
For those planning summer getaways, the situation is a reminder of the weather risks tied to peak travel periods. As Canada continues to grapple with increasingly volatile weather patterns, infrastructure resilience and traveler flexibility will be critical.
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