Major Airports in Canada Show Signs of Improvement, But Delays Persist
As the summer travel season kicks into high gear, travelers at Canada’s busiest airports continue to experience frequent delays. However, there are indications that the situation is improving, albeit slowly.
Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport Ranked Fourth and Fifth Worldwide for Delays
According to data from tracking service FlightAware, on Tuesday, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) ranked fourth and fifth worldwide for delays. A staggering 38% of flights at these airports experienced holdups.
This is a significant improvement compared to earlier in the summer when data from FlightAware indicated that YYZ and YUL were the two worst airports globally for flight delays.
Flight Delays Continue Despite Improved Performance
Despite the improvements, flight delays continue to plague travelers. On Wednesday, Terminal 1 at Pearson was relatively quiet, with most flights arriving and departing as scheduled. However, crowds were smaller than expected, and check-in and security lines were not excessively long.
Traveler Kaltrina Haradainaj, 27, from London, Ont., who arrived with her family six hours early for their flight to Europe, expressed concern about the delays. "We anticipated it to be busier," she said. "But we’re just glad that we made it through security and customs without any issues."
Air Canada’s COVID-19 Impacts on Flight Delays
In a press release announcing its second-quarter 2022 financial results, Air Canada attributed flight delays and other operational disruptions to the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19. "The path to recovery from any serious event is rarely straight and easy," said Air Canada chief executive Michael Rousseau.
Ryan White, spokesperson for Toronto Pearson International Airport, would not comment on FlightAware’s rankings but provided the airport’s own statistics for the week of July 18-24 showing improvements in on-time performance for most flights at YYZ. White attributed the improvements to measures such as working closely with airline partners after they voluntarily reviewed their summer schedules to smooth out operations.
Increased Staffing at Government Agencies
White noted a growing number of recent hires at government agencies, including Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) agents and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agents. These agents have completed the lengthy, specialized training and are now processing passengers on the airport floors.
However, Robert Kokonis, president of aviation consultancy AirTrav Inc., questioned whether increased staffing would be enough to maintain the trend. "Nothing at CATSA has structurally changed," he said. "They hired a few people for screening, but they also have people on vacation. Plus, you just can’t train people fast enough."
Summer Peak Season
As we are not yet out of the summer peak season, it remains to be seen whether these improvements will continue.
Delays Persist at Canada’s Busiest Airports
Despite the signs of improvement, delays persist at Canada’s busiest airports. Travelers should remain vigilant and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions to their travel plans.
Conclusion
While there are indications that the situation is improving, flight delays continue to plague travelers at Canada’s busiest airports. As we navigate the challenges of summer peak season, it remains essential for airlines, airports, and government agencies to work together to ensure a smoother experience for passengers.
Recommendations
- Travelers should check with their airline for updates on flight schedules and any potential disruptions.
- Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to account for any unexpected delays.
- Airlines and airports should continue to review and adjust their summer schedules to minimize disruptions.
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Sources
FlightAware
Air Canada
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
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