Severe winter weather and ongoing operational challenges have triggered a fresh wave of air travel disruption across Canada, with airlines reporting 276 delayed flights and 34 new cancellations on January 21, 2026.

The latest figures are hitting both major hubs and remote northern communities, affecting passengers flying with Air Canada, WestJet, Jazz, Air Inuit, PAL Airlines and Pacific Coastal Airlines from airports including Vancouver, Montreal, Kelowna, St. John’s and Puvirnituq.

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Storm Systems and Arctic Cold Grip Canada’s Air Corridors

The newest round of disruption is being driven primarily by a combination of snowstorms, freezing rain and intense Arctic air sweeping across much of the country. Meteorologists report that heavy snow bands and high winds are limiting visibility and complicating runway operations, particularly along the Pacific coast and in Atlantic Canada, while extreme windchill across the Prairies and central provinces has kept de‑icing crews and ground operations under sustained pressure.

At Vancouver International Airport, poor visibility and gusting winds have forced repeated ground holds and slower departure rates, pushing back departure slots throughout the day and cascading into knock‑on delays for connecting flights. In Montreal, crews have been working to keep taxiways and runways clear as fresh snow and icy conditions repeatedly build up on the airfield, requiring extra de‑icing time and longer aircraft turnaround intervals.

Farther east, conditions around St. John’s have been especially unstable, with fluctuating wind patterns and intermittent whiteouts leading to last‑minute cancellations and diversions. Smaller regional airports, where runway and de‑icing infrastructure is more limited, are even more vulnerable to rapid weather changes, leaving aircraft and passengers stranded for hours at a time until conditions improve enough for safe operations.

Major Carriers Shoulder the Bulk of Delays and Cancellations

Air Canada, Canada’s largest carrier, is once again at the center of the disruption. According to the latest operational data compiled on Tuesday, the airline is contending with dozens of delayed flights, particularly on its high‑frequency routes linking Vancouver and Montreal with Toronto and other major domestic hubs. These delays are being compounded by aircraft and crew rotations that have yet to fully recover from earlier winter storms and operational constraints over the holiday and New Year period.

WestJet is also experiencing a high volume of schedule disruptions as it navigates the same band of winter weather and a tightly stretched network. Flights through Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal have been especially affected, with ripple effects extending to smaller destinations that rely on narrow connection windows. For many passengers, even a short initial delay has been enough to break onward connections, forcing same‑day rebooking or overnight stays.

Jazz, operating largely as Air Canada Express on regional routes, has recorded a notably high share of the day’s cancellations. Regional aircraft serving shorter sectors are particularly sensitive to de‑icing queues and runway availability, and Jazz’s schedule into and out of smaller airports has been repeatedly interrupted. PAL Airlines and Pacific Coastal Airlines, both significant regional players, are also reporting multiple cancellations and delays as they struggle to maintain service to communities across Atlantic Canada and British Columbia.

Remote Communities and Northern Routes Hit Hard

Beyond the major metropolitan centers, the impact of the latest disruptions is being felt acutely in remote and northern communities where air links are vital for essential travel, medical appointments and the movement of supplies. Air Inuit, which serves communities across Nunavik and parts of Nunavut, has confirmed a cluster of delays and cancellations affecting routes through Puvirnituq and other northern airports, where harsh winter conditions frequently push operating limits.

In Puvirnituq, located on the eastern shores of Hudson Bay, blizzard conditions and low cloud ceilings have repeatedly forced crews to hold or turn back flights. With no road connections to the south, residents and travelers rely almost entirely on these services, magnifying the consequences of each disruption. Passengers report extended waits at small terminal buildings, limited accommodation options and difficulty rebooking, especially when aircraft and crew are out of position for subsequent flights.

Kelowna and other interior British Columbia airports are also feeling the effects of the current weather pattern. Freezing fog and snow in the Okanagan Valley have narrowed operating windows for arrivals and departures, causing schedule irregularities on flights that typically feed into larger hubs like Vancouver and Calgary. When those regional legs are delayed or cancelled, many travelers find themselves cut off from the broader domestic and international network.

Passengers Face Long Queues, Missed Connections and Uncertain Plans

Across affected airports, passenger experiences on Tuesday have been marked by long check‑in and security lines, crowded departure lounges and mounting frustration over limited information. Travelers in Vancouver and Montreal report waiting several hours in customer service queues to secure new itineraries or hotel vouchers after missing connections due to incoming delays.

Families returning from holidays, business travelers heading to crucial meetings and international visitors transiting through Canadian hubs have all been caught up in the disruption. Some passengers have described being rebooked on flights departing a full day or more later than originally planned, while others have opted to abandon their trips entirely rather than spend another night at the airport. Those attempting to reroute via alternative cities often find remaining seats scarce, particularly on popular corridors where several earlier departures have already been cancelled.

For travelers already in the air, the disruption has sometimes taken the form of diversions and circling holds, adding extra hours to journeys and placing additional strain on tight connection windows. Flight crews are having to juggle duty‑time limitations and mandatory rest periods, which can further limit the number of flights that can realistically operate once weather conditions improve.

Airlines Adjust Schedules and Loosen Rebooking Rules

In response to the continuing volatility, major airlines have introduced a series of flexible policies and operational adjustments aimed at easing the burden on affected passengers and restoring schedule integrity. Air Canada has continued to refine the operational recovery measures it first deployed over the year‑end holiday period, including selective flight cancellations designed to create more buffer in the timetable and reposition aircraft and crews where they are needed most.

Carriers are generally waiving change fees and, in some cases, fare differences for customers whose travel falls within the disruption window and who are willing or able to move their journeys to later dates. These flexible policies are being promoted across airline channels and at self‑service kiosks in airports, encouraging travelers with non‑essential trips to proactively rebook before arriving at the terminal.

WestJet, Jazz and other carriers are also advising passengers to make full use of mobile apps and online tools to track live flight status, receive notifications and initiate rebooking requests without waiting in physical lines. Airport staff at major hubs have been reinforced with additional customer service teams, although surges in demand during peak hours continue to test capacity. In some cases, airlines are working with nearby hotels to secure additional rooms for stranded passengers whose disruptions extend overnight.

Canadian Passenger Rights and What Travelers Can Expect

The latest wave of disruption is once again drawing attention to Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which set out minimum standards of treatment and, in some cases, compensation for passengers impacted by delays and cancellations. Under the framework, airlines must provide food vouchers, hotel accommodation and rebooking assistance depending on the length of the delay, the cause of the disruption and the size of the carrier.

However, many of the current interruptions are being attributed to severe weather and associated safety considerations, which are typically categorized as outside the airline’s control. In such cases, carriers are still obliged to offer rebooking on the next available flight and, where feasible, to assist with alternate routing, but direct monetary compensation is often not required. This distinction has sometimes led to confusion and frustration among travelers expecting payouts for lengthy waits.

Consumer advocates are reminding passengers to keep detailed records of their journeys, including boarding passes, receipts for meals and hotels, and any written communication from airlines, in case they wish to later pursue claims or complaints. They also urge travelers to familiarize themselves with each carrier’s tariff and disruption policy, which can differ in specifics while remaining bound by federal regulations.

Airports Strain to Keep Operations Moving Safely

Airport authorities across the country are working around the clock to balance safety with the imperative to keep traffic moving. At Vancouver International, snow removal teams have been cycling continuously between runways, taxiways and aprons, while de‑icing pads operate at high capacity to ensure aircraft can depart safely once clearances are granted. Similar scenes are unfolding in Montreal and St. John’s, where ground crews face a constant battle against fresh snowfall, blowing snow and ice accumulation.

Inside the terminals, airport operators have activated contingency plans that include deploying extra staff to assist with crowd management, expanding seating in gate areas and boosting cleaning and catering services to cope with extended passenger dwell times. Information screens and public address systems are being used intensively, though rapid changes in conditions often mean that departure times and gate assignments can shift multiple times over the course of a few hours.

Smaller airports with limited staff and equipment, including those serving northern and regional communities, are under particular strain. When runways must be closed for plowing or when visibility drops below minimums, there are few alternatives for diverting traffic, and terminal facilities can quickly become crowded. In these locations, coordination between airlines, local authorities and community organizations is critical to support passengers who may be facing long, unexpected waits far from home.

Outlook for the Coming Days and Advice for Travelers

Forecasts suggest that winter weather systems will continue to affect parts of Canada through the middle of the week, raising the prospect of further rolling disruptions even as airlines and airports work to clear backlogs. While conditions may improve temporarily in some regions, the risk of renewed snowfall, freezing rain or high winds remains elevated, particularly across the West Coast, central Canada and Atlantic provinces.

Travel planners and airline operations teams expect that it could take several days to fully normalize schedules, especially on complex networks where aircraft and crews must be carefully sequenced across multiple time zones and climate zones. As a result, even passengers booked for later in the week could experience residual delays or minor schedule changes as carriers adjust rotations and rebuild time buffers.

For travelers with upcoming flights, industry experts recommend checking itineraries frequently on the day of travel, arriving at the airport earlier than usual to account for longer lines, and preparing for the possibility of extended waiting times with essentials such as warm clothing, snacks, medications and chargers. Those with flexible plans are being encouraged to consider rebooking to calmer days or flying during mid‑day windows, which can sometimes offer more options for recovery in the event of early morning disruptions.