Airline delays grow as pilot frustrations mount over air traffic controller shortages. Industry calls on Ottawa for urgent support.
Air Traffic Staffing Shortage Disrupts Flights Across Canada
A shortage of air traffic controllers has led to ongoing delays and cancellations at major Canadian airports, including Vancouver International Airport (YVR), prompting growing concerns from airlines, pilots, and passengers alike.
Industry Voices Speak Out
Airline CEOs, union leaders, and frontline staff are calling on the federal government to address the staffing crisis impacting airport operations. On May 25, an Air Canada pilot flying from Vancouver to Montreal voiced his frustration during a 50-minute delay, encouraging passengers to write their Members of Parliament.
“It’s very annoying,” the pilot told passengers. “It costs the company money. It costs business people money. And it would be great to have this addressed.”
The pilot accused Nav Canada, the private company responsible for air traffic control, of failing to train enough new recruits and suggested the company was keeping staffing low to increase overtime hours.
Ongoing Impact at Major Airports
Air Canada confirmed that flight schedules have been impacted at YVR for several weeks. The airline attributed delays to restrictions imposed by Nav Canada due to limited personnel. Vancouver International Airport officials also cited air traffic controller shortages as the root cause of recent disruptions.
Teara Fraser, CEO of Indigenous-owned Iskwew Air, noted that even short regional flights are facing daily delays ranging from 20 minutes to two hours. “When you’re operating a 20-25 minute flight, that’s significant,” she said, urging the federal government to fund essential aviation infrastructure and services.
Nav Canada Responds to Allegations
In a statement, Nav Canada acknowledged the resource shortage and confirmed it had implemented temporary traffic management protocols on May 25. However, the organization rejected the pilot’s claim that it was deliberately limiting trainee intake to preserve overtime pay.
A spokesperson emphasized that trainee evaluations follow a structured process and that Nav Canada is investing heavily in training expansion. “We currently have close to 500 students in our training programs. By 2028, that number is expected to reach 1,500,” the spokesperson said.
Systemic Issues Behind Delays
Tim Perry, President of the Air Line Pilots Association, stressed that delays are not the fault of individual air traffic controllers, but reflect deeper systemic issues. “If we need more people at work, let’s direct our collective attention to doing that,” Perry said.
Airline representatives, union officials, and aviation stakeholders are united in their message: without federal action and long-term staffing solutions, Canada’s air travel industry will continue to face instability, financial loss, and declining public confidence.
