One cancelled flight, six days of waiting at YVR, but finally home for Christmas

LLOYDMINSTER, Sask. — Louie Madlang says he’s happy to be celebrating Christmas with his son and daughter one day late after it took him six days to travel from Vancouver to Lloydminster, Sask.

Madlang, his wife, and five extended family members including three young kids, were part of the throngs of travellers stuck at the Vancouver International Airport when winter storms forced the cancellations of hundreds of flights.

It would be days — including several sleeping on the floor of the airport — before they were able to get on a flight to Edmonton Christmas afternoon and then drive several hours, arriving home at 8 p.m. that night.

“The long wait is over. I thought we were not going to make it, but we made it so I’m happy,” Madlang said on Boxing Day.

He was driving to pick up his son in Saskatoon and bring him back to Lloydminster where his daughter already is, so the family can celebrate Christmas together.