Photo Supplied Air Canada Twitter
With flights in and out of Vancouver International gridlocked due to the snow, travelers heading out of Kamloops are being advised to check ahead.
The early morning Air Canada flight out of YKA did have to be scrubbed, with one WestJet flight from Kamloops to Vancouver also canceled; Airport Manager Ed Ratuski says he expects to see more flight cancellations to the coast.
“Currently the rest of the flights for the day are still showing on time, but likely I expect those will either be delayed significantly or possibly even canceled so passengers should be checking with the airline.”
Ratuski warns that even when flights in Vancouver do eventually get moving again, the backlog of traffic there will take some time to clear.
“If passengers aren’t signed up for receiving text messages directly from the carriers they should, that is going to be the most efficient way to get information from the carriers.”
He does say though, flights are arriving and flying out of Kamloops from other destinations.
“The Air Canada Departed for Calgary this morning and the runways are in excellent shape. The crews are out there working both airside and ground side on the roads to make sure the airport is completely serviceable.”
One WestJet flight out of Kamloops to Calgary was canceled this morning. However, that was due to staffing issues, not the weather.
Meanwhile in Vancouver, there are currently no flights leaving YVR and the airport says in a tweet they anticipate more cancellations to continue through the day and week ahead.
UPDATE (0730): The winter storm and severe snowfall has had an unprecedented impact on flights and operations at YVR, with mass cancellations. Travel continues to be significantly impacted this morning & we anticipate cancellations to continue through the day and the week ahead.
— YVR (@yvrairport) December 20, 2022
The Vancouver International Airport is asking people to not go the the Vancouver Airport unless it is absolutely necessary.
-With Files from Paul James
