The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Airports in Toronto and Montreal pause departing flights after the FAA declared a nationwide ground stop in the US
NAV CANADA said Canada's air traffic system is operating normally, but that "travelers should expect delays and check with their airline."
Airports in Toronto and Montreal paused departing flights as the FAA declared a nationwide ground stop in the United States, prompting Canadian facilities to adjust operations.
Toronto Pearson International Airport said there were no scheduled flights to or from the US around 5 p.m. ET, and later noted that international and domestic flights not traversing US airspace were still operating. The airport indicated it expected several planes to be held on the ground and that staffing and space would be needed to manage affected passengers, with increased staffing and additional resources in the U.S. departures area and a planned aircraft parking arrangement.
Montreal, along with other Canadian airports, began implementing traffic management measures in response to the US air traffic disruption. NAV CANADA stated its systems were operating normally and issued programs designed to safely manage traffic volumes, while warning travelers to expect delays and to check with their airlines.
NAV CANADA and other Canadian airports noted that traffic management would be necessary to handle potential increases in volume, particularly for US-bound international flights that might require diversions. They emphasized communication with travelers and coordination with airlines as the situation evolved.
Industry tracking showed widespread impact in the US, with FlightAware reporting over 2,700 flights canceled within, to, or from the US by early evening, and thousands more delayed; Cirium noted that at least 600 flights had been diverted as cities including Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Cleveland faced increased routing.