Flights in and out of Calgary International Airport were temporarily suspended this week as a powerful winter storm brought heavy snow, fierce winds and near-zero visibility to southern Alberta, briefly halting one of Canada’s busiest aviation hubs before operations slowly resumed under continued delays.

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Brief shutdown at Calgary International as visibility collapses

Calgary International Airport paused flight movements for several hours on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as blizzard-like conditions reduced visibility on runways and taxiways and made snow removal nearly impossible.

Airport operations teams reported that the intensity of snowfall and gusting winds prevented plows and de-icing crews from safely working on the airfield, prompting a temporary ground stop that affected both arriving and departing aircraft.

The suspension, which followed a similar shorter pause for snow removal in late November, was described as a safety-first response to rapidly deteriorating weather. Aviation sources indicated that inbound flights were diverted to airports including Vancouver, Seattle and Kelowna while Calgary’s airfield remained effectively unusable.

Passengers on board some diversions reported extended holding patterns and last-minute rerouting as crews waited for conditions in Calgary to stabilize.

Operations began to ramp back up later in the day once visibility marginally improved and at least one runway could be cleared for use. However, the restart was gradual, governed by an official ground delay program that limited the rate of arrivals and prioritized aircraft that had already diverted from Calgary earlier in the storm.

Passengers face cascading delays and cancellations across the network

The temporary shutdown at Calgary had outsized ripple effects across airline networks, particularly for WestJet and Air Canada, both of which count Calgary among their key hubs.

Dozens of flights were canceled outright while many more were significantly delayed, stranding travelers at airports across Canada and in major U.S. and European gateway cities as crews struggled to reposition aircraft and flight schedules.

At Calgary itself, scenes inside the terminal ranged from long lines at airline counters to crowded seating areas as passengers refreshed mobile apps and departure boards for updated information.

Some travelers arriving on early-morning flights reported being held on aircraft for extended periods while gate availability and ground staffing were sorted out amid the storm.

The suspension coincided with an already busy pre-holiday travel period, magnifying the impact on families, business travelers and international visitors.

With aircraft and crews out of position, the disruption extended well beyond the hours of the official ground stop, leading to knock-on delays through the evening and into the following day on routes linking Calgary to Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg and transborder destinations.

Winter storm system engulfs the Prairies

The operational challenges at Calgary were part of a broader weather emergency across the Canadian Prairies. A sprawling winter storm system spread heavy snow, intense blowing snow, freezing rain and severe wind gusts across southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba, with radar imagery showing the disturbance stretching across multiple provinces and brushing into several northern U.S. states.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued blowing snow advisories and travel warnings around Calgary on Wednesday, cautioning that falling snow combined with strong northerly winds would lead to sudden whiteout conditions and zero visibility in open areas.

The Highway 2 corridor between Calgary and Red Deer, along with sections of the Trans-Canada Highway east of the city, were singled out as high-risk zones where travel was not recommended.

Within Calgary and neighboring communities, police and provincial highway authorities reported numerous collisions, jackknifed trucks and vehicles sliding into ditches as the storm intensified.

A hazardous road conditions alert urged motorists to stay off major highways unless travel was absolutely essential, underscoring the severity of the weather that had simultaneously brought airside operations at Calgary’s airport to a halt.

YYC’s winter playbook: safety first, even when it disrupts travel

Calgary is no stranger to winter weather, and airport officials have emphasized that the facility is equipped and staffed for significant snowfall events. Specialized plows, sweepers and de-icing rigs are positioned for rapid deployment during storms, and runway clearing strategies are honed over years of cold-season operations.

However, the combination of heavy snowfall, fierce crosswinds and almost non-existent visibility on December 17 pushed conditions beyond what crews could safely manage in real time.

When visibility drops to the point that drivers of snow-clearing equipment cannot reliably see runway markings, other vehicles or aircraft movements, standard practice is to halt operations until safety margins can be restored.

Industry observers note that such decisions, while frustrating for travelers, are an essential part of modern aviation safety culture, particularly at airports that function as major connecting hubs for domestic and international traffic.

Once the worst of the squall passed and visibility slowly improved, Calgary’s operations team focused on reopening one primary runway, with crews working in tightly coordinated rotations to clear snow, apply anti-icing agents and assess braking conditions.

That incremental approach allowed the airport to transition from full suspension to restricted operations, setting the stage for airlines to gradually rebuild their schedules through a controlled flow of arrivals and departures.

Airline storm advisories and flexible change policies

As the storm intensified and the scope of disruption became clear, multiple carriers issued weather-related travel advisories tied to affected airports and travel dates.

WestJet and Air Canada both activated their winter storm policies for parts of their networks, allowing customers booked on impacted flights greater flexibility to change itineraries or seek refunds and credits, depending on fare rules and booking channels.

Travel advisories typically outline the specific airports, dates and ticketing conditions where change fees are waived. During this storm system, advisory windows covered not only Calgary but also other airports in the storm’s path, as conditions deteriorated across the Prairies and onward connections were threatened.

While exact terms varied by carrier, many travelers were able to rebook to later dates within a defined time frame or reroute via alternative hubs when seats were available.

U.S.- and Europe-bound passengers were among those most affected, particularly on routes where Calgary serves as a connecting point. Some airlines proactively canceled flights in anticipation of the ground stop and offered passengers the option to delay departures by several days at no additional charge.

Others encouraged customers to monitor their email and mobile notifications closely and to avoid heading to the airport until they had confirmed that their flight was still scheduled to operate.

Knock-on impacts at Vancouver, Edmonton and other regional hubs

The storm’s reach extended well beyond Calgary, putting pressure on airports across western Canada. Vancouver International Airport reported cancellations and delays on its busy Calgary routes as aircraft were unable to depart or arrive on schedule.

Some Vancouver-bound flights from Calgary were scrubbed entirely, while others departed hours late as crews waited for departure slots and clearance from Calgary’s ground delay program.

In Edmonton and other regional centers, wintry conditions combined with Calgary’s hub disruption to trigger further operational challenges. Passengers who typically connect through Calgary found themselves rerouted via alternative hubs, or forced to overnight in transit cities as seat availability tightened.

Airlines attempted to consolidate loads, upgauge aircraft where possible and reposition planes to meet post-storm demand, but the tight holiday-season schedules left little slack in the system.

For smaller communities in Alberta and neighboring provinces that rely on Calgary as their primary link to the national network, the temporary shutdown highlighted the vulnerability of regional air service to extreme weather events. While many local airports remained open with limited operations, disrupted connections in Calgary meant that some flights were canceled for lack of inbound aircraft or crewing constraints.

What travelers can learn from the Calgary shutdown

The sudden suspension of flights at Calgary offers a clear lesson for winter travelers: even well-prepared airports and airlines can be overwhelmed by the worst weather events, and flexibility is vital.

Industry experts routinely advise that travelers build in additional buffer time for connections during the winter, especially when flying through snow-prone hubs, and to consider earlier departures ahead of forecast storms when travel plans are inflexible.

Monitoring airline apps, enabling push notifications and verifying flight status before leaving for the airport can help reduce time spent waiting in terminals during major disruptions.

Travelers are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with their carrier’s irregular operations and weather policies, including eligibility for free changes, credits or refunds when advisories are in effect. In many cases, rebooking proactively once a storm advisory is issued can yield more options than waiting until flights are officially canceled.

For those currently in the middle of disrupted trips, travel agents and corporate travel managers can often provide additional support, including alternate routing options, hotel arrangements and documentation for insurance claims.

With storms becoming more frequent and disruptive across North America’s aviation network, experts expect both travelers and airlines to continue refining their winter resilience strategies in the years ahead.

FAQ

Q1. Why did Calgary International Airport temporarily suspend flights during the storm?
The airport halted flights because heavy snow, powerful winds and severely reduced visibility created unsafe conditions on runways and taxiways, making it impossible for snow-clearing and de-icing crews to work safely and for aircraft to take off and land within standard safety margins.

Q2. How long did the suspension of flights at Calgary last?
The most significant ground stop lasted for several hours on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. While a precise minute-by-minute timeline varied by carrier and route, flight movements were essentially paused during the worst of the storm and then gradually resumed under a controlled ground delay program later in the day.

Q3. Are flights now operating normally from Calgary?
Flights resumed after the storm’s peak passed and at least one runway was cleared, but airlines have continued to report residual delays and some cancellations as they work through backlogs, reposition aircraft and reset schedules affected by the temporary shutdown.

Q4. Which airlines were most affected by the Calgary shutdown?
Carriers with large operations at Calgary, including WestJet and Air Canada, were among the most affected because many of their domestic, transborder and international connections rely on the airport as a hub. Other Canadian and international airlines operating through Calgary also saw disruptions to arrivals and departures.

Q5. What should I do if my flight through Calgary is delayed or canceled?
If your flight is disrupted, you should first check your airline’s app or website for updated status and any self-service rebooking options. If a storm advisory is in effect, you may be able to change to a later date or different routing without paying a change fee, subject to fare rules and seat availability. Contact your airline or travel agent if digital options are limited or confusing.

Q6. Did the weather affect other airports in western Canada?
Yes. The same winter storm system affected a wide swath of the Prairies and parts of British Columbia and Manitoba, leading to delays and cancellations at airports such as Vancouver and Edmonton, especially on routes tied to Calgary connections and aircraft positioning.

Q7. How does the airport decide when to stop or restart flights?
Airport and air traffic officials base decisions on real-time visibility, runway conditions, wind speeds, braking action reports and the ability of ground crews to safely operate snow-clearing and de-icing equipment. When conditions fall below established safety thresholds, operations are paused; flights resume only after sufficient runway clearance and visibility are restored and air traffic control implements a controlled arrival and departure rate.

Q8. Are passengers entitled to compensation for weather-related disruptions?
In most cases, severe weather is considered outside airlines’ control, which limits mandatory compensation. However, many carriers offer flexible rebooking, credits or refunds under published travel advisories. Additional coverage may be available through third-party travel insurance, credit card benefits or corporate travel policies, depending on individual circumstances.

Q9. How can travelers better prepare for winter storms when flying through Calgary?
Travelers can reduce risk by booking longer connection times, avoiding tight same-day connections during peak winter months, and monitoring extended weather forecasts before travel. When major storms are predicted, departing a day early, choosing earlier flights in the day and staying informed through airline alerts can improve the chances of completing travel with fewer disruptions.

Q10. Where can I find the latest information about my specific flight and any active advisories?
The most current information about your flight will come directly from your airline through its website, mobile app, call center or airport departure boards. Airlines also publish active storm and travel advisories on their own information pages, detailing affected airports, travel dates and eligibility for flexible changes.