YVR passengers caught in Pearson crash delays and cancellations
Posted February 18, 2025 7:09 am.
Monday’s crash at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport impacted air travel right across the country, including at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) where some passengers faced major travel disruptions.
“We were three-quarters of the way there in the air and they turned the plane around,” said one traveller who was on a flight to Toronto.
“They could have landed in London, they could have landed in Kitchener, they could have arranged for buses, they could have landed in Hamilton and we would all have been in Toronto on time. Even if we were a couple of hours late, what’s the alternative? Coming back here now and every flight is booked?” they said.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Flights have resumed at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, but two runways are closed as investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board begin their work on what may have caused the crash.
At least 18 people were injured after the plane crashed on landing, flipping upside down. Toronto Pearson said the incident happened upon landing and involved a Delta Airlines plane arriving from Minneapolis just after 2 p.m. on Monday.
Lineups for guest services were long at YVR as cancellations and delays were posted on the departures board.
“We’re going to have to get accommodations and hope for the first flight out,” a Toronto-bound passenger told CityNews.
“Our flight got cancelled,” said another. “We got here at 7 this morning and actually got on the plane. We were taxiing down the runway and then they cancelled the flight, deplaned the flight, we had to pick up our bags, and now we are in the lineup to rebook our flight.”
More were upset flights underway for Toronto were not rerouted to other airports closer to their destination.
“It’s really unlucky that they rerouted us back here for some reason,” said a student, travelling with a group to Pearson. “Not Montreal, not Ottawa. We all have a bunch of schoolwork. I’m going to flunk tests. WestJet messed me up, man.”
The Pearson crash was not the only issue disrupting flights at YVR over the long weekend.
Severe winter weather in central and eastern Canada caused delays, reroutes, and cancellations through Saturday and Sunday, as well.
By Tuesday morning, most YVR arrivals and departures were on time with only one 6:30 a.m. Air Canada cancellation to Toronto.
