ATC Staffing Shortages Continue to Cause Havoc at Canadian Airports

NAV Canada says it is “taking decisive action” to boost the number of Canadian air traffic controllers, with more than 500 currently in training across the country. 

But with a major shortage of ATCs causing cancellations and delays across the country, relief won’t come for some time.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to add capacity where possible, and progress is being made across the Canadian system,” spokesperson Maryam Amini told Global News.

“We continue to recruit, train, and licence new controllers at an increased pace while taking every step needed to support safe and efficient service continuity across the country.”

The bad news is that it takes two to three years for recruits to complete a rigorous training program that includes classroom, simulation and on-the-job elements.

In the past month alone, NAV Canada, the organization that runs and operates Canada’s civil air navigation system has announced temporary service interruptions at Canada’s leading airports, including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

Last Tuesday, nearly 100 flights were cancelled and 195 delayed due to a staffing shortage in Vancouver.

When there is a staffing shortage at air traffic control towers, safety protocols require NAV Canada to reduce the volume of aircraft coming into the airport.

“Safety and efficiency rely on a well-staffed, well-trained, and well-rested workforce and our air traffic control workforce is understaffed,” Nick von Schoenberg, president of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, told Global News.

“The employer is working hard to recover through recruitment and training efforts, but the shortage is significant and the solutions to resolve it are complex and will take time.”