Winter storm could delay flights at Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario

Travellers flying out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga today and tonight are being urged to check the status of their flights ahead of time as the latest winter storm could delay departures.

Officials at Pearson Airport, who posted several weather/travel updates to social media on Friday morning and early afternoon, said a snow storm expected to hit southern Ontario tonight and into Saturday could also impact flights scheduled to arrive at the airport.

“Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for parts of southern Ontario, and an extreme cold warning for western Canada. We are closely monitoring these weather systems, which have the potential to impact flights arriving and departing at Toronto Pearson. If you’re flying today, we recommend checking the status of your flight online,” Pearson officials said in a post to X (formerly Twitter).

They’re also urging travellers headed to Pearson to give themselves extra time to get to the airport.

The storm headed Ontario’s way has already caused major travel problems in the U.S. Midwest.

Officials at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (see photo below) said via social media Friday morning that airlines there have “proactively cancelled more than 650 flights, and they are reporting delays averaging 30 minutes” due to an ongoing winter storm.

The situation in Chicago also prompted some travel advice from Pearson officials.

“If you are flying to, from or connecting through O’Hare International Airport today, we recommend you check the status of your flight online,” they said in a post to X.

Snow-clearing vehicles work on the runways today at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. (Photo: O’Hare Airport X)

In a social media post on Thursday night, Pearson officials warned travellers of the anticipated weekend snow storm and how it might impact flights and other airport operations.

In addition to checking the status of flights ahead of time and arriving at the airport early for flights, officials also urge travellers to check in for their flights online and to reserve parking, if necessary, on the airport’s website.

Yesterday, airport officials in Mississauga said their aircraft de-icing crews were out in full force as effects from the first blast of winter earlier this week continued to stick around in the area.

“Snow is falling and our de-icing operation is in full force. We’re expecting a total of 477 departures and 475 arrivals (today),” airport officials said in a social media post on Thursday morning.

Pearson officials say they’ll be ready for any weather that arrives as their crews are equipped with the latest machines with which to clear snow and ice from runways.

They said at the outset of winter that they’re more than ready to clear the runways of heavy snow when it comes. More than 100 snow plows, tractors, trucks and other pieces of equipment are lined up to complete the task, they noted.

By the numbers, the airport lists the following among its specialized snow removal vehicles and equipment:

• 40 snow plows
• 18 snow tractors
• 15 wheel loaders
• 14 de-icing trucks
• 12 snow blowers
• 7 front-mounted sweepers

(Cover photo: Pearson Airport)