Flight delays and cancellations have plagued travellers using the Calgary International Airport due to worsening weather conditions.
Upward of 50,000 passengers are expected to roll through the airport each day through Jan 3.
A cold warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Calgary area as the wind chill on Monday brought lows of -40 C.
Airport officials expect the busiest days to be Dec. 22, 23 and 27, but many people travelling to Calgary on Monday morning are already dealing with the frustration of flight delays and complications.
On top of weather-related delays, the Calgary Airport Authority said some guests might be experiencing delays because of passenger volume, staffing, maintenance or because of connections from other airports.
As of 7 a.m., at least ten flights that were scheduled to arrive in Calgary on Monday morning were outright cancelled, while about a dozen more experienced delays.
“The Calgary Airport Authority is asking travellers to plan ahead and to prepare for potential delays before flying to save time and make their experience more enjoyable,” the authority said in a statement on Monday morning.
“We are monitoring the situation and continue to work with all our partners — from airlines, airports and security screeners to border agents and government officials — so we can jointly deliver a smooth, efficient experience for travellers.”
Weather events including snow and poor visibility in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto are to blame for some of the delays, according to the airport officials, but passenger volume, staffing issues, aircraft maintenance, and delayed connections from other airports are also playing a role.
