by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Mon January 26, 2026
UPDATE: As of 11:30 ET 01/27/2026, Cirium reported Toronto Pearson is seeing operational impact with 46 flights cancelled or 10.82% of all flights.
A powerful winter storm has severely disrupted travel through Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), forcing widespread flight cancellations and delays as travellers contend with record-breaking snowfall.
Environment Canada data shows that about 46 cm fell at Pearson on Sunday, setting a new one-day snowfall record for the airport and pushing January totals (88.2 cm) to levels not seen in nearly a century.
Widespread Flight Cancellations and Delays
Hundreds of flights scheduled at Pearson have been disrupted since the storm first struck.
As of Sunday, aviation tracking data indicated that over 500 scheduled departures and arrivals were cancelled as airlines struggled with de-icing requirements, runway conditions and staff logistics.
Toronto Pearson (Photo Credit: X)
According to aviation analytics from Cirium, about 41% of scheduled flights at Pearson were cancelled as of Sunday morning.
RELATED: Winter Storm Fern Disrupts Some US Cruise Ship Sailings
Inbound cancellations were even higher, with roughly 62% of arriving flights scrapped.
Nearby Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) also reported significant disruptions, with roughly 30% of its flights cancelled.
Airport Operations and Passenger Advisories
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) says crews are working continuously to clear runways, taxiways and aprons, with snow-clearing and de-icing operations ongoing around the clock.
“Air traffic management initiatives remain in place to safely manage aircraft movements,” airport officials reported Monday morning.
“The severe winter weather impacted flights to and from Toronto Pearson, and flight schedules may change throughout the day as airlines work to restore normal operations following yesterday’s delays and cancellations.
Toronto Pearson (Photo Credit: X)
“Flights to and from Atlantic Canada and certain parts of the U.S. may be impacted today as the system moves through the region.
Passengers are advised to check directly with their airline before coming to the airport. Those travelling to Toronto Pearson should allow extra time. For passengers taking the UP Express, please note it is operating every 30 minutes.”
Broader Travel Impacts
Airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, have issued travel waivers and flexible rebooking options for affected customers.
The storm is part of a larger North American winter system (Winter Storm Fern), which also caused mass cancellations across major U.S. hubs.
RELATED: Travel Industry Still Feeling Impact of Winter Storm Fern
Travellers connecting through the U.S. are reporting significant delays and cancellations.
Pearson says it hopes to have a full recovery by tomorrow as it works towards a "multi-day recovery."
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