Canada Flights in Crisis — 111 Cancelled, 726 Delayed Across Major Airports

Quick Summary

111 flights cancelled and 726 delayed across Canadian airports today — source: FlightAware

Toronto Pearson worst hit: 251 delays and 33 cancellations; Montreal-Trudeau follows with 170 delays and 19 cancellations

Severe winter weather — snow, freezing rain, and thunderstorms — is battering Newfoundland, Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec

Air Canada (157 delays / 12 cancellations), Jazz (116 delays / 28 cancellations), and WestJet (114 delays / 3 cancellations) are the hardest-hit carriers

Canada's Worst Travel Day This Season — 837 Total Flight Disruptions and Counting

Thousands of passengers are stranded across Canada today as a powerful winter weather system drives mass flight disruptions at airports from coast to coast. Air Canada, Jazz, WestJet, Qatar Airways, Porter Airlines, WestJet Encore, and Air Inuit are among the carriers recording a combined 111 cancellations and 726 delays — making this one of the most disrupted single days in the Canadian aviation network this season. Snow, freezing rain, and thunderstorms are hammering the country's eastern and western regions simultaneously, with Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax all reporting severe operational impacts. The data comes directly from FlightAware.

Winter Weather Warnings Driving the Crisis

The weather systems responsible for today's disruptions are targeting two large sections of the country at once.

Newfoundland and Labrador is being battered by a combination of snow, freezing rain, and thunderstorms. St. John's International and Halifax Stanfield International are both affected, with ground crews running snowplows and de-icing equipment continuously. Temperatures are fluctuating sharply, keeping conditions dangerous and unpredictable.

Ontario and Quebec are dealing with snow and freezing rain at Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau International, and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport. Freezing rain has been the primary culprit for ground delays in this region, forcing airlines to halt departures while aircraft are de-iced and runways are treated.

Airport-by-Airport Breakdown

Toronto — Canada's Busiest Airport Paralysed

Toronto is carrying the heaviest burden in today's disruptions. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has recorded 251 delays and 33 cancellations — the highest absolute figures of any Canadian airport today. Conditions at Pearson have deteriorated progressively through the day.

Toronto City Centre Airport is also impacted, with 37 delays and 7 cancellations adding to the city's total disruption count.

Montreal — Snow and Ice Ground Hundreds of Passengers

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the second hardest-hit airport nationally, with 170 delays and 19 cancellations recorded today. The storm has reduced visibility and coated runways with snow and freezing rain, causing significant schedule compression across Air Canada and Jazz regional operations.

Vancouver — West Coast Hit by Freezing Rain

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has recorded 102 delays and 12 cancellations. The west coast disruptions are compounding what is already a disrupted national network, with aircraft unable to reposition effectively between hubs.

Halifax — East Coast Ice Pellets Causing Havoc

Halifax Stanfield International Airport has reported 47 delays and 11 cancellations. Ice pellets and rain are continuing to fall across the region, with forecasters indicating conditions will persist throughout the day.

Airlines Most Affected

Air Canada is absorbing the largest disruption volume among full-service carriers, with 157 delays and 12 cancellations concentrated at its primary hubs in Toronto and Montreal.

Jazz (ACA) — which operates Air Canada's regional feeder network — has recorded 28 cancellations and 116 delays, the highest cancellation count of any single carrier today. Regional operations are particularly vulnerable during severe weather events because crew and aircraft repositioning on short routes is far harder to manage when multiple airports go down simultaneously.

WestJet is reporting 114 delays and 3 cancellations, primarily at Vancouver International and Toronto Pearson. Icy runways have forced temporary shutdowns on some WestJet services.

Air Inuit, which serves remote northern communities with limited alternative transport options, has recorded 39 delays and 4 cancellations. For passengers in these locations, Air Inuit disruptions often mean no alternative travel route exists.

Porter Airlines and WestJet Encore are also recording delays and cancellations across their respective networks.

Full Disruption Summary

Airport	Delays	Cancellations
Toronto Pearson International (YYZ)	251	33
Montreal-Trudeau International (YUL)	170	19
Vancouver International (YVR)	102	12
Halifax Stanfield International	47	11
Toronto City Centre Airport	37	7

Airline	Delays	Cancellations
Air Canada	157	12
Jazz (ACA)	116	28
WestJet	114	3
Air Inuit	39	4
Porter Airlines / WestJet Encore	Multiple	Multiple

Total: 726 delays + 111 cancellations = 837 flight disruptions

Key Facts: Canada Flight Disruptions, March 13, 2026

Total cancellations: 111
Total delays: 726
Total disruptions: 837
Source: FlightAware
Regions affected: Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia
Weather type: Snow, freezing rain, ice pellets, thunderstorms
Worst airport: Toronto Pearson — 251 delays / 33 cancellations
Worst airline for cancellations: Jazz (ACA) — 28 cancellations / 116 delays
Remote impact: Air Inuit disruptions affecting northern communities with no alternative transport

What This Means for Travelers

Today's disruptions are not a minor inconvenience — with 837 total affected flights, passengers throughout eastern and western Canada face a network that is struggling to absorb and redistribute the impact.

If you're at a Canadian airport today or flying in the next 24 hours:

Check real-time status directly on your airline's app or website — Air Canada, WestJet, and Jazz are all updating regularly
Ask your airline specifically about travel waivers — during severe weather events, most carriers allow free rebooking to a different date without fees
If you're already at the airport, speak to airline staff in person about rebooking options before joining any queue — some airlines are processing rebookings faster via app than at the desk
Sign up for push notifications through your airline's app to receive immediate alerts on gate changes, further delays, or cancellation updates
Travellers heading to or from Newfoundland and Labrador and southern Ontario should monitor local weather forecasts closely, as conditions are expected to remain hazardous

Canada's Aviation Network Under Severe Winter Pressure

Today's figures confirm this as one of the most operationally challenging weather events for Canadian aviation this season. With 111 flights cancelled and 726 delayed across the country's major hubs and regional airports, the scale of impact extends from Halifax on the Atlantic coast to Vancouver on the Pacific. As airlines work to stabilise aircraft rotations and reposition crews, passengers should plan for the disruption to continue into the evening hours until weather conditions improve across Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Canadian airport has the most cancellations today? Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has recorded the most disruptions today — 33 cancellations and 251 delays, making it the worst-affected airport in Canada. Montreal-Trudeau International is second, with 19 cancellations and 170 delays.

Which airline has the most cancelled flights in Canada today? Jazz (ACA), which operates Air Canada's regional network, has the highest cancellation count today — 28 cancellations alongside 116 delays. Air Canada itself has recorded 12 cancellations and 157 delays, while WestJet reported 3 cancellations and 114 delays.

Why are so many Canadian flights cancelled today? Severe winter weather is the primary cause. Snow, freezing rain, ice pellets, and thunderstorms are affecting multiple regions simultaneously — Newfoundland and Labrador on the east coast, and Ontario and Quebec in central Canada, alongside British Columbia on the west coast. Freezing rain in particular has caused extensive ground delays requiring ongoing de-icing operations.

What should I do if my Air Canada, WestJet, or Jazz flight is cancelled today? Contact your airline directly via their app or website to review rebooking options. Most carriers are offering travel waivers during today's severe weather event, allowing passengers to rebook without change fees. Passengers in remote northern communities served by Air Inuit should contact the airline directly, as alternative routing options are limited in those regions.