Raging Summer Storm Causes 157 Cancellations, 485 Delays at Pearson Wednesday
by Bruce Parkinson
Toronto Pearson International Airport. Bruce Parkinson photo.
Hundreds of flights were delayed and cancelled at Pearson Airport Wednesday due to a raging late-summer summer storm that barrelled through the Toronto area on Wednesday evening with high winds, damaging hail and torrential rain.
The storm caused widespread flooding, wind damage, and power outages throughout the region, and also resulted in substantial havoc at Canada’s largest air travel hub.
According to air travel tracking website FlightAware, Pearson Airport experienced 485 delays on Wednesday, along with 157 flight cancellations. By comparison, a fair weather day on Tuesday saw just 37 cancellations.
On social media, the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), warned of delays and cancellations hours before the storm.
“Air traffic management initiatives are currently in place due to active weather affecting Toronto Pearson and the surrounding area,” the GTAA said, warning that “delays and cancellations affecting both arrivals and departures are possible.”
The storm resulted in thousands of Torontonians losing power, the shutdown of major roads and highways, and the cancellations of events across the city.
