Storm Damages Calgary Airport Gates, WestJet Cancels Flights

Guests were evacuated from areas within Calgary International Airport (YYC) following a severe storm that damaged the terminal.

On Monday night (Aug. 5), severe thunderstorms hit Calgary, with torrential rainfall and large hailstones damaging homes and other structures — including Calgary International Airport.

“We can confirm there has been damage to YYC’s terminal building due to hail and heavy rainfall,” Calgary International posted on social media. “For the safety of all guests and staff, B gates and some C gates are being evacuated due to water damage.”

As of writing, B gates remain closed until further notice. Some C gates were also impacted, and the rental car center is closed.

Calgary-based airline WestJet released a travel advisory for flights to and from the impacted airport from Aug. 5 to 8, offering guests a $0 one-time fee waiver for flight changes or cancellations. Travel must occur within 60 days of the original departure date, and changes must be made at least two hours prior to departure.

WestJet has canceled 80 flights and delayed 26, the majority of which are either departing from or arriving at Calgary International Airport.

Calgary International remains open, and is “working with its airline partners to reaccommodate flights to gates that were not affected,” the Calgary Airport Authority said in a release. At this time, the extent of the damage to the terminal and the timeline to complete repairs is unknown.