The Sault Ste. Marie Airport has experienced significant disruptions due to a severe winter storm. This storm has resulted in the cancellation of multiple flights, specifically those serviced by Porter Airlines and Air Canada.
Winter Storm Impacts Flight Operations
On the afternoon of a major winter storm, two flights were cancelled at the airport. An inbound flight from Toronto, scheduled to arrive at 3:57 p.m., and an outbound flight to Toronto, set for 4:35 p.m., were both affected. According to Terry Bos, president and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation, tomorrow morning’s departures for both airlines have also been cancelled. “There is no plane here to depart,” Bos stated.
Future Flight Schedule
Despite the cancellations, flights are still expected to operate as scheduled tomorrow afternoon. Bos confirmed that both Air Canada and Porter Airlines showed their afternoon flights as planned. Overall, the cancellations for today affect:
- Two Air Canada arrivals and departures
- Two Porter arrivals and departures
Severe Weather Forecast
Sault Ste. Marie is currently under an Orange Warning for winter storms, anticipating significant snowfall. The forecast predicts 40-80 cm of snow through Sunday and into Monday. Northeasterly winds may reach gusts of 70 to 80 km/h, creating near-zero visibility conditions.
Advice for Travelers
Travelers are advised to expect potential delays. Officials recommend allowing for extra travel time, preparing for changing visibility on roads, and checking flight status before heading to the airport. The severe weather has the potential to be one of the worst snowfall events of the season.
This winter season has already posed challenges. Earlier this winter, blizzard conditions impacted flight schedules, grounding all but one flight during a lengthy six-day period over the Christmas holidays. El-Balad continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
