Toronto, Montreal, Ontario, and Quebec – Air Canada Adds Extra Flights to Restore Services After Major Flight Cancellations in Eastern Canada : Know about the latest updates

Published on February 19, 2025

Travelers across Eastern Canada have faced significant disruptions in recent days due to a combination of harsh winter weather and a major aircraft incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air Canada, the country’s flag carrier and largest airline, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore normal operations, with more than 1,290 flight cancellations over six days.

Despite these setbacks, the airline successfully transported over 650,000 passengers, demonstrating its resilience in managing crisis situations. However, full recovery is expected to take several more days, subject to ongoing weather conditions and airport restrictions.

Impact of the Disruptions on Travel and Tourism

With Toronto Pearson being Air Canada’s primary hub, any delays or cancellations in Toronto inevitably create a domino effect across Canada, the United States, and international routes. On a typical day, 47% of Air Canada’s flights pass through Toronto Pearson, making it one of the most critical transit points in North America.

The recent storm-related schedule reductions, combined with airport restrictions limiting takeoffs and landings, have led to:

• Significant flight delays and cancellations, particularly in and out of Toronto and Montreal.
• Stranded passengers, many of whom had connecting flights to international destinations.
• Travel industry setbacks, as tourism-related businesses, including hotels, car rentals, and tour operators, experienced last-minute cancellations and rescheduling demands.

With Toronto serving as a major gateway for both domestic and global travelers, these delays have had ripple effects on travel plans across six continents.

Air Canada’s Efforts to Restore Operations

In response to these challenges, Air Canada has been gradually restoring service, adding extra flights and capacity where possible. However, airport restrictions at Toronto Pearson continue to slow recovery, with takeoffs and landings limited to as few as 16 per hour, down from the usual 44 per hour.

The airline has implemented the following measures to mitigate passenger inconvenience:

• Increased self-service options, including online booking changes via the Air Canada website and mobile app.
• Expanded contact center hours, with agents working extended shifts to assist customers with rebookings.
• Rebooking assistance through travel agents for passengers who booked through third-party platforms.

While these measures help travelers find alternative flights, call center wait times remain high, with Air Canada urging customers not traveling within the next 48 hours to delay their calls.

Winter Weather and Air Travel: The Challenges of Flying in Canada

Severe winter conditions are a recurring challenge for airlines operating in Canada, where snow, ice, and freezing rain frequently cause runway closures, visibility issues, and aircraft de-icing delays.

Toronto Pearson International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs for transatlantic and transpacific travel, must balance:

• Passenger safety, ensuring that flights only operate when conditions allow.
• Runway clearance operations, requiring time to remove accumulated snow and ice.
• Efficient scheduling adjustments, which can be complicated by unpredictable weather shifts.

With Air Canada operating across 180+ destinations worldwide, delays in Canada’s key airports inevitably affect routes connecting Europe, Asia, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Tourism Industry Setbacks and Economic Impact

The widespread disruptions have affected more than just individual travelers—they have impacted Canada’s tourism industry as a whole.

• Hotels near airports saw an increase in stranded travelers, leading to overbookings and urgent accommodation requests.
• Tour operators and cruise lines had to adjust itineraries due to missed flights and delayed arrivals.
• Business travelers faced disruptions, affecting corporate meetings, trade events, and conferences.

Air Canada’s ability to quickly stabilize operations is crucial not only for passenger convenience but also for ensuring the continued smooth functioning of Canada’s travel economy.

Looking Ahead: Recovery and Future Preparedness

As Air Canada continues to restore normal operations, the airline remains committed to:

• Enhancing winter preparedness, improving response strategies for extreme weather events.
• Expanding flexible rebooking policies, making it easier for passengers to adjust travel plans.
• Investing in AI-driven solutions, optimizing flight rescheduling and customer service efficiency.

While weather-related disruptions are unavoidable, better crisis management tools and communication strategies can help minimize future travel interruptions.

How Travelers Can Plan for Winter Disruptions

For travelers flying through Toronto Pearson, Montreal, or other major hubs in Canada during winter months, preparation is key. Air Canada recommends:

• Checking flight status frequently via the Air Canada app or website.
• Using self-service tools to manage rebookings online rather than waiting for call center agents.
• Booking flexible fares or purchasing travel insurance to minimize unexpected costs from delays.
• Allowing extra transit time when flying in or out of weather-prone regions.

Final Thoughts: A Reminder of the Resilience of Air Travel

Despite severe disruptions, Air Canada’s swift response has demonstrated the airline’s commitment to safety, passenger support, and operational recovery. The travel industry remains highly adaptable, and as weather conditions improve, Air Canada is expected to fully restore its flight schedule within days.

For now, travelers are encouraged to stay informed, use digital booking tools, and plan ahead, ensuring that their next journey remains as smooth as possible, despite winter’s unpredictability.