Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Following a tumultuous week marked by disruptions affecting over 80 flights at the Vancouver International Airport, Nav Canada, the agency overseeing air traffic control in Canada, has announced that standard operations have been reinstated.
This week, Nav Canada alerted travelers about potential delays, citing a temporary traffic management measure enacted at the Vancouver airport due to staffing challenges stemming from “unplanned absences.”
Traveler Kati Varga expressed her concerns on Thursday, noting, “I have some flexibility, so I am not as worried. However, if I were heading somewhere farther away with a hotel reservation, I would definitely be concerned.”
Another passenger, Lisa Imlah, emphasized the need for adequate staffing to ensure the airport runs seamlessly, stating, “It’s crucial they have proper staffing to operate smoothly.”
“Hopefully, they can resolve these issues swiftly,” she added.
Nav Canada, which employs roughly 2,500 air traffic controllers, has faced ongoing staffing shortages for an extended period. The agency has announced plans to recruit an additional 1,500 controllers by 2028, and it has collaborated with a leading flight simulator company this year to facilitate the training of numerous new hires.
Gábor Lukács, president of Air Passenger Rights, commented on the implications of the delays for travelers, indicating that those who experienced delays or cancellations will likely not qualify for compensation unless airlines had significant advance notice of the disruptions. He remarked, “Airlines must adapt their operations to the evolving circumstances.”
Should an airline respond effectively and responsibly to the situation, or if they learn of impending cancellations only shortly beforehand, they would typically not be held accountable for compensations, Lukács explained.
Despite Nav Canada stating that airport operations have returned to normal levels, they advise travelers to persist in monitoring their flight statuses for any updates.
Source
globalnews.ca