Canadians could experience flight delays this summer due to air traffic controller shortages, WestJet says.
“More than 300,000 WestJet guests have been impacted by delays since April, as a result of NAV Canada staffing shortages,” WestJet said in a statement on June 27.
Air traffic control staffing issues are frequently the “primary reason” for delays throughout its network, which guests are experiencing across the country, the airline said.
WestJet acknowledged that NAV Canada is working on long-term solutions to the issue, but the airline said a lack of short-term solutions is “unacceptable” and poses serious operational challenges moving into the peak summer travel season.
“WestJet is calling on the federal government to work with all stakeholders to find an immediate solution to support the structural challenges that NAV Canada is facing,” the statement reads.
NAV Canada told The Epoch Times in an email that it is unable to confirm the estimated impact numbers published by WestJet but admitted that NAV Canada staffing does contribute to delays in some circumstances.
Air traffic delays can occur as a result of weather conditions, runway construction, infrastructure maintenance, surges in demand, and personnel resourcing, NAV Canada said, adding that delays are “rarely caused by a single factor or organization.”
“As WestJet acknowledges, we are leveraging every tool at our disposal to improve staffing and to manage traffic safely and efficiently, working in close coordination with airlines and airport authorities,” NAV Canada said.
NAV Canada is a private, not-for-profit corporation responsible for air traffic control, flight information, and other civil air navigation services. Its customers include airlines, business aviation and air cargo operators, air charters and air taxis, helicopter operators, and general aviation pilots and owners.
The company says it is investing in its workforce by recruiting, training, and licensing new air traffic controllers “at an accelerated pace.”
Although there are more than 500 individuals training in NAV Canada air traffic services programs across the country, the company says that becoming fully qualified is an extensive process involving classroom instruction, simulation, and on-the-job training that spans over 24 to 36 months.
“We want to be clear: change is underway, and we are seeing positive developments in our hiring and training efforts, but progress takes time,” NAV Canada said. “NAV Canada is committed to the safe and reliable delivery of air navigation services—this is our core mandate and top priority.”
WestJet said air traffic delays lead to “significant inconveniences” for guests and “considerable costs” to airlines. It added, however, that since the delays are “outside of airlines’ control,” passengers are not eligible for compensation.
“WestJet is working to minimize the NAV Canada impacts on guests and will continue to advocate for solutions that improve system-wide performance,” the airline said.
Statistics Canada data indicate that more than 4.7 million passengers were screened at the eight largest airports in Canada this May, which is more than 90,000 passengers than May of last year and nearly 250,000 more than May of 2019.
