Business as usual at Sudbury’s airport, despite bad weather
It's a storm that's been given lots of names -- 'monster' storm, a 'once-in-a-lifetime' winter blast -- but so far that hasn't deterred airports across northern Ontario.
It's been business as usual for the most part at facilities in Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, to the relief of holiday travellers.
"We expect to see a lot of travel (today and tomorrow) as people look to get out and see family, especially coming out of the pandemic where people have been cooped up and unable to travel," said the Greater Sudbury Airport's Jean-Mathieu Chenier.
"So we've been seeing that pick-up as of late and we had a couple of full flights already."
Anyone who might have come to the Sudbury terminal expecting the worst will be pleasantly surprised. Despite Thursday night's snow dump from Mother Nature, all flights and departures are showing on time.
Chenier said the weather could have an impact but the airport will remain open and they will continue to keep the runways ready.
"The weather and impact from other larger airports, has an impact on other airports across the region," he told CTV News.
Many of Sudbury's flights head to Toronto or connect through Pearson International in Toronto. As of noon on Friday, the facility in the GTA was showing mostly delays with a couple of cancellations.
Even still, the fact Sudbury is still operating mostly problem-free is a relief to both staff and holiday travellers.
"There's a renewed buzz in the terminal and it's nice to see passengers, it's nice to see a full airport -- airplanes being filled up again, people travelling again and happy to travel," said Chenier.
Pamela Baker was flying into Sudbury to spend the holiday with her sister. Coming from Australia, this will be her first white Christmas.
"I had heard that we had been snowed in and Toronto was being closed so I was a bit concerned about that, I came via Dallas. Sydney, Dallas to Sudbury and no problems -- except no luggage," Baker said.
Her luggage was still in Dallas, but she said arriving under the threat of a storm without being stranded is a win for this holiday tourist.
"It was seamless except for the luggage but I have one of those air tags, so I can see it -- I just can't get it," Baker said.
Jean-Guy Bureau was making the trip home to Sudbury from New Brunswick for the holidays.
"My flight was at 5:30 Atlantic time this morning, so I missed it, I'm going to miss it -- the storm," Bureau said, adding it was a bit of a relief to make it, considering what's happening in southern Ontario.
Greater Sudbury might be without problems for the moment, but it doesn't mean things won't change. Chenier said it's always a good idea to check the status of your flight before coming down.
"We definitely advise all passengers to stay close to your airline," he said.
"Make sure you have your notifications on from your airline, the airlines are the ones that decide if a plane comes or goes and so that's your first point of contact when it comes to staying up to date."
And he added that the security guidelines are still in effect, particularly this time of year, which means no wrapped presents.
For more information on the current status of flights, visit the Greater Sudbury Airport website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.