The winter storm in B.C. is affecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) once again as most flights are cancelled or delayed on Tuesday morning.
Around 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 20, YVR announced that no flights would be leaving the airport due to the severe snowfall.
“There are currently no flights departing YVR as we safely get passengers off aircraft and clear the airfield and aircraft of snow and ice to get planes and people moving again,” said Megan Sutton, spokesperson with the Vancouver Airport Authority, in a media statement.
"We recognize the affect these cancellations have on our community. We sincerely apologize to all of those impacted."
Videos posted on social media showed mountains of luggages at YVR airport as people waited near the baggage carousels for at least five hours.
@tianacwong If you’re flying to YVR, maybe rethink checking in a bag. We landed at 11pm and by 4am we still hadn’t seen our bags #chaos #yvr #airport ♬ Oh no, oh no, oh no, no no - Hip Hop
Some videos posted to Tiktok also showed dozens of people sleeping on the carpeted ground around the airport as many were left stranded when their flights were cancelled.
@sophiainfsj #yvr #snow #aircanada #westjet ♬ Bodies - Drowning Pool
While most people were inside the airport terminal, many others were stranded inside planes on the tarmac around 4 a.m.
@jashan_raj At YVR VANCOUVER AIRPORT #canada #snow ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show
Sutton said the snowfall has had an “unprecedented impact” on flights, and operations at the airport.
Mass cancellations occurred overnight and YVR “anticipates cancellations and delays to continue” on Tuesday and the upcoming week.
People who are expecting to fly today and this week are reminded to check with their airline directly on the status of their flights.
"We are asking people to please not come to YVR if you do not absolutely need to," said Sutton.
Updates will be provided via YVR's website.
