Hundreds of air travellers still grounded in Halifax

The Halifax Airport is still trying to clear the backlog after weather and safety concerns grounded a number of flights in and out of Toronto’s Pearson Airport yesterday.

Among the thousands of stranded travellers across North America are the hundreds of people stuck here, but it seems passengers are still in good spirits despite all the delays.

“Couldn’t get on Saturday and we’ve been here since,” Beth tells News 95.7. “We would like very much to get home but there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s no one’s fault.”

Airport Authority Vice President Peter Spurway says it’s a great reminder of how connected the country is by its airports.

“We don’t think about the airplane the same way anymore,” he explains. “It’s like it pops up out of the ground, we get on it, it flies us somewhere and then it magically disappears but it doesn’t of course. It came from somewhere it’s going somewhere else, they almost never stop and they just go all the time.”

He says the bottom line is it comes down to safety.

“If it’s not safe to fly the airplanes, or the operational conditions are unsafe, then the airlines are going to make these decisions and that’s why we have such a wonderful air safety record,” he explains.

Spurway says the airport is doing its best to ensure passengers are comfortable with pillows, blankets, and in some cases baby formula and diapers for the smallest passengers.

He expects the airlines to have the schedules back on track by this evening, assuming there are no more major weather events.

The deep freeze enveloping the Toronto region has abated somewhat, but the cold weather appeared to still be impacting flights at Pearson International Airport this morning.

The airport instituted a so-called ground stop early Tuesday as the wind chill readings hovered around the -40 C mark. More than 600 flights were cancelled during the day.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority said the freeze was implemented because of how the cold was affecting equipment and to minimize time outdoors for employees.

Even though it felt like -25 C early Wednesday, the arrivals and departures boards at the country’s biggest airport were again showing numerous delays and cancellations.

Air Canada has advised travellers that severe winter conditions in eastern Canada and the U.S. northeast were still impacting its operations.

Customers are advised to check on-line or by phone to confirm that their flight is operating before going to the airport.