A powerful winter storm moving across the Prairies on Wednesday forced Calgary International Airport to temporarily suspend all flights, as heavy snow and poor visibility made runways unsafe for travel. The airport authority confirmed the suspension, stating the move was necessary to allow ground crews to clear a mounting accumulation of snow and ice from the airfield. “Maintaining a safe operation is Calgary Airports’ top priority,” the authority said in a statement. “In a winter storm, we clear the runways, taxiways and aprons of snow and ice to ensure aircraft can land, take off and taxi safely.” The suspension affected all arrivals and departures at YYC. Officials said in extreme winter conditions, all paved surfaces must periodically be shut down to allow snowplows, sweepers and sanders to work effectively. Additional on-call crews were brought in to assist the airport’s regular winter operations team. The airport resumed operations around 2 p.m., as conditions improved and the airfield was deemed safe. Travellers are being urged to check their flight statuses with their respective airlines before heading to the airport. For those whose flights are still listed as on time, officials recommend leaving significant extra time to navigate snow-covered city roads. “Once here, be patient, as runway clearing and de-icing may create some delays for flights,” the statement said. The airport authority said guests with inquiries about specific flight delays or rebooking should contact their airlines directly.
