Snow removal crews at Mississauga’s Pearson Airport are working around the clock to keep the runway safely open. (Photo: Pearson Airport)
Last night, the winter’s worst snowstorm affected both air and land travel at Mississauga’s Pearson Airport, causing dozens of flights to be delayed, canceled or diverted.
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And while the worst of the winter heat appears to be behind us, Pearson officials are still urging travelers to check flight status before heading to the airport.
Some flights on Saturday may be delayed or canceled.
“Overnight, Pearson Airport was covered with approximately 5 centimeters of snow, and Mother Nature blessed us with thunder and even lightning,” airport officials said via social media Saturday morning. “While our snow plows thoroughly cleared the tarmac, our ice removal crews prepared 107 planes for takeoff. Due to strong winds and poor visibility, on-time departures were at 40%; The arrival rate was 42%, both lower than normal, but to be expected under the circumstances. A small number of flights were diverted to other airports to manage capacity. will return to normal, but flight delays and cancellations are still possible due to continued light rain and strong winds.”
![A very snowy night at Pearson 2](https://www.insauga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-very-snowy-night-at-Pearson-2.jpg)
De-icing workers at Pearson Airport prepare aircraft for flight. (Photo: Pearson Airport)
Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police is reminding drivers to use caution after the storm, whether heading to or from the airport or other locations.
“We would like to remind everyone that the snowstorm continues and ask everyone to limit driving as much as possible to avoid unnecessary incidents,” police said on social media Saturday morning. “If you must go out, please maintain a sufficient following distance and maintain an appropriate speed.”
Pearson Airport officials posted numerous weather and travel updates on social media throughout the day and evening Friday ahead of the winter storm.
The storm caused major travel disruptions across the Midwest before reaching southern Ontario early Friday morning.
Officials at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (see photo below) said via social media Friday morning that airlines there had “actively canceled over 650 flights” due to the storm.
![Big snow at OHare in Chicago](https://www.insauga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Big-snow-at-OHare-in-Chicago.jpg)
A snow removal vehicle works on the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. (Photo: O’Hare Airport X)
Pearson officials said their crews are equipped with the latest equipment to remove snow and ice from the runways, so they are prepared for whatever weather this winter brings.
They said at the beginning of winter that they were well prepared to clear snow from the runways should heavy snow fall. More than 100 snowplows, tractors, trucks and other equipment are lined up to complete the work, they said.
Based on their numbers, the airport lists specialized snow removal vehicles and equipment below.
- 40 snowplows
- 18 snowplows
- 15 wheel loaders
- 14 de-icing trucks
- 12 snow blowers
- 7 front mount sweepers
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