Thunderstorm cancels more than 50 flights and floods parts of YVR

More than 50 flights were cancelled during a severe thunderstorm that disrupted Vancouver International Airport from Saturday night into early Sunday, while heavy rain caused flooding inside the airport.

YVR said airfield operations must pause when lightning is close to the airport. From 9:30 p.m. Saturday until 2:55 a.m. Sunday, flights could not depart and many arriving aircraft could not taxi to their gates, resulting in delays and cancellations.

Spokesperson Alicia Doyle said Monday that the airport had returned to a more normal schedule and thanked airport teams and partners for their response. The airport said some flights continued to be affected Sunday and advised travellers to check their flight status before leaving for YVR.

FlightAware data cited in the report showed more than 37 cancelled flights to and from the airport over the previous 24 hours. Travellers also posted videos showing flooding and passengers waiting overnight; one passenger said they were stuck on the tarmac for more than five hours.