Thousands of Travelers Impacted in Canada as Montreal, Calgary, Kelowna, Toronto, Ottawa, Puvirnituq, Nain and More Cancel 109 Flights and Delay 434 Affecting Air Canada and Rouge, Jazz, SkyWest, Republic, Inuit and Other Airlines

Thousands of travelers are impacted in Canada today as severe weather and operational challenges force Montreal, Calgary, Kelowna, Toronto, Ottawa, Puvirnituq, Nain and more airports to cancel 109 flights and delay 434, affecting Air Canada and Rouge, Jazz, SkyWest, Republic, Inuit and other airlines. Across the country, passengers traveling through Montreal, Calgary, Kelowna, Toronto, Ottawa, Puvirnituq, Nain and more are experiencing significant inconvenience as cancellations and delays ripple across major hubs and regional airports. Air Canada and Rouge, Jazz, SkyWest, Republic, Inuit and other airlines have been forced to adjust schedules due to thunderstorms, lightning, and unpredictable weather conditions linked to El Niño.

Consequently, thousands of travelers impacted are facing uncertainty while trying to reach their destinations. Flight disruptions have caused long lines at terminals, frustrated passengers, and cascading delays across connecting flights.

Reasons Behind the Disruptions across Canada

Thunderstorms & Severe Weather Disrupt Travel Across Canada

Environment Canada has issued a “yellow” severe thunderstorm warning for Calgary and surrounding regions, warning of strong wind gusts, heavy rain and large hail that can disrupt air travel and ground transport. This warning stretches south of Airdrie to north of Fort Macleod, covering areas east to High River and west to Longview, and remains in effect through Thursday evening. In Toronto, poor weather forced the evacuation and cancellation of the FIFA Fan Festival on day one of the World Cup due to lightning threats, illustrating how severe thunderstorms are directly impacting public events and transit operations.

Widespread Flight Delays Linked to Storm Systems

Severe thunderstorm activity isn’t isolated. Major airline hubs across North America are experiencing weather‑related delays and cancellations due to storm corridors and unstable atmospheric conditions. Reports highlight significant disruptions at airports such as Toronto, Montreal and others over recent days, as thunderstorms contribute to cascading scheduling issues across carriers and routes.

El Niño’s Role in Global Weather Instability

At the same time, El Niño conditions are actively developing in the Pacific, meaning broader weather patterns are shifting in ways that can amplify extreme events — including droughts, heavy rainfall and storm systems that affect travel networks and infrastructure worldwide. Scientists recently confirmed that El Niño has formed and could intensify into one of the strongest on record, significantly influencing global climate patterns through late 2026 and into 2027. This includes increased variability in storm frequency and intensity that can lead to travel disruptions, flooding, heatwaves and other related impacts.

Midwest U.S. Storms Also Affect Air Travel Networks

Across the U.S. Midwest, severe storms have caused power outages, flight delays and hazardous conditions, adding to the broader disruption of North American travel systems. Storm cells in states like Iowa, Kansas and Missouri triggered weather warnings and contributed to flight irregularities.

Canadian Airports and Airlines Affected

Air travel disruptions are concentrated across major Canadian hubs and regional airports. Here is a detailed overview of affected locations and airlines:

Airport / Location	Airport Code	Cancelled Flights	Delayed Flights
Toronto Pearson International	YYZ	49	197
Montreal-Trudeau	YUL	29	103
Vancouver International	YVR	13	101
Kelowna International	YLW	8	14
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International	YOW	4	15
Puvirnituq	–	2	4
Nain	–	2	0
Makkovik	–	2	0

Total cancellations across all airports: 109
Total delays across all airports: 434

Airline-Specific Disruptions

Airline	Cancelled Flights	Delayed Flights
Jazz	42	115
Air Canada	14	97
WestJet Encore	9	32
PAL Airlines	9	7
Air Canada Rouge	3	22
Air Inuit	2	15
Air Borealis	4	0

Analysis of Airports, Cities, and Airlines Impacted

Toronto Pearson International is the hardest-hit hub, accounting for 49 cancelled flights and 197 delays. Montreal-Trudeau and Vancouver International airports also face substantial disruption, highlighting the vulnerability of major metropolitan hubs to severe weather. Smaller regional airports such as Kelowna, Ottawa, Puvirnituq, Nain, and Makkovik are not spared, with cancellations and delays disrupting regional connectivity.

Airlines such as Jazz and Air Canada are disproportionately affected due to high flight volumes in these regions. WestJet Encore, PAL Airlines, Air Canada Rouge, Air Inuit, and Air Borealis have also reported disruptions, primarily due to weather conditions, storm-induced congestion, and ripple effects from delayed incoming flights.

Cities across Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec are experiencing both ground and air travel impacts, with Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal seeing severe thunderstorms and public event cancellations. Lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds are causing temporary airport closures, runway delays, and increased safety protocols, creating cascading flight delays nationwide.

What Affected Passengers Can Do

Travelers in Canada impacted by these disruptions are advised to:

• Check real-time flight updates: Visit official airline websites or apps for current status. Many airlines provide rebooking or refund options.
• Consider alternate routes or airports: For flights to major hubs like Toronto or Montreal, passengers may consider flying through secondary airports if feasible.
• Monitor weather alerts: Follow Environment Canada updates, especially in regions like Calgary and Toronto, where thunderstorms may persist.
• Allow extra travel time: Anticipate delays in getting to airports due to road closures or public transport interruptions caused by storms.
• Stay in communication with airlines: For passengers with booked tickets at FIFA Fan Festival locations or events affected by thunderstorms, contact event organizers regarding ticket refunds or rescheduling.

Conclusion

Severe weather, amplified by the arrival of El Niño, is creating a significant travel disruption scenario across Canada. Airports from Toronto to Vancouver, and regional hubs in the north, are experiencing high numbers of flight cancellations and delays. Airlines including Jazz, Air Canada, WestJet Encore, PAL Airlines, and Air Inuit are managing the cascading effects of thunderstorms and severe weather. With 109 cancellations and 434 delays reported across airports, Canadian travelers are facing one of the most severe mid-year air travel disruption periods in recent memory. Weather patterns are expected to continue affecting operations in the coming days, highlighting the ongoing influence of climate phenomena like El Niño on everyday travel.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports