Air Canada offers free flight changes as U.S. ground stop leads to YVR cancellations

The Story

All U.S. flights were grounded on Friday (Nov. 13) due to “extraordinary circumstances” south of the border, prompting dozens of cancellations and delays affecting flights departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a national ground stop just after 2 p.m., instructing all aircraft operators to cease flights until further notice “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”

Global Affairs Canada said the nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports will cause air travel disruptions and advised Canadians to contact their airlines for more information on how it will affect their travel plans.

Air Canada said it is “monitoring the situation closely,” and revised its ticketing policy to allow customers impacted by air traffic control restrictions on Nov. 13 and 14 to make free changes, space permitting, for flights to and from airports including Halifax, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John’s, Toronto and Calgary.

Air Canada customers with impacted flights can retrieve their booking to change their flight free of charge, and those who bought tickets with Air Canada Vacations were directed to contact the company directly at 1-800-296-3408.

The airline also advised travellers to check their flight status online or call Air Canada’s automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before going to the airport.

According to FlightAware flight data cited in the report, 18 flights have been cancelled at YVR over the past 24 hours, with cancellations affecting several U.S. destinations and additional U.S. flights reported as delayed.

The report also cited a scan of YVR’s arrivals page showing 37 flights delayed, with more than 16 arrivals delayed, including flights to the U.S., and some cancelled California-bound flights.