Over 200 YVR Flights Delayed Amid Staffing Shortages
by Marsha Mowers
ATC shortages are having a major impact at YVR.
More than 200 flights were delayed at YVR over the weekend due to ongoing staffing constraints at Nav Canada; Canada’s air traffic control agency.
Both Vancouver International Airport and Nav Canada took to social media Saturday night, warning travellers of the day and urging them to check their flight status before coming to the airport.
According to a report by CBC, A YVR spokesperson said that 186 flights were delayed on Saturday and, as of 11:20 a.m. PT on Sunday, 24 flights were reporting delays.
“As delays are a result of staffing constraints at [Nav Canada], we cannot speak to whether impacts will persist over the coming days,” the spokesperson said.
Nav Canada however didn’t take responsibility, telling CBC in a statement that “Air traffic delays can occur for a range of reasons — weather being the most frequent, but also runway construction, infrastructure maintenance, surges in demand, and personnel resourcing. Airports, airlines, baggage handling, security screening services, and [Nav Canada] all play a part in the broader aviation system.”
With Canada Day happening Tuesday, the airport is expecting more than 88,000 passengers to transit through YVR Monday alone.
Earlier this spring, Nav Canada who over sees air activity across the country, experienced air traffic controller staffing shortages leading frustration from pilots and passengers. The organization says they’re “stepping up efforts to train new air traffic controllers.”
