Airport Chaos as Nature’s Fury Strikes Sault

Severe winter weather has significantly disrupted travel plans at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, grounding nearly all flights and affecting hundreds of holiday passengers. The airport faced challenging conditions due to heavy snow and ice, leading to cancellations from major airlines such as Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and Bearskin Airlines.

Flight Cancellations Impact Passengers

Between Sunday and Friday morning, only one commercial flight departed from the airport. Terry Bos, president and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation, noted that this unprecedented situation marked the first time in 26 years that the airport lost multiple days of service due to weather. Normally, the airport experiences minor delays from storms, but this event was far more severe.

Challenges of Icy Runways

Efforts to clear snow and ice were ongoing throughout the week. Workers employed liquid chemicals to combat ice accumulation; however, icy conditions hindered their effectiveness. The strong winds blew the chemicals around, making it challenging to manage the runway conditions.

• Only one commercial flight operated from Sunday to Friday.
• Terry Bos reported it was the worst weather conditions experienced in 20 years.
• Other northern Ontario airports like North Bay and Sudbury resumed operations by midweek.

Ongoing Operations and Cargo Flights

Despite the cancellations, cargo and medevac flights continued safely, as they utilize smaller aircraft capable of handling adverse weather. Bos confirmed that all equipment was deployed, and crews were working overtime in an effort to restore normal airport operations.

Outlook for Passengers

As flights began resuming, the city remained under a snow squall warning. Porter Airlines reported its first flight into the city since December 29, expressing hope that weather conditions would remain favorable for continued operations. They assured customers that if flights were canceled, they would be rebooked onto the next available service.

Air Canada Jazz is also reinstating local flights, with additional services added to accommodate affected passengers. Teri Udle, director of communications for Air Canada, urged travelers to stay updated through their websites and apps.

Conclusion

The winter challenges faced at Sault Ste. Marie Airport highlight the impact of nature’s fury on travel schedules. As operations slowly return to normal, airlines and airport management are making concerted efforts to assist travelers during this busy holiday season.