Air navigation system issues cause delays at YVR
Dozens of flights arriving at Vancouver International Airport experienced delays on Saturday.
In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for YVR said the delays are due to “constraints” in the air navigation system.
Some departing flights were also delayed.
“We are working with our partners at NAV Canada and the airlines to get you on your way as safely and as quickly as possible,” YVR said in the statement.
The airport is urging passengers to check the status of their flights before coming to the airport.
In another statement, NAV Canada said a ground delay program (GDP) was put in place at YVR to “address system capacity constraints due to unplanned absences.”
GDPs are used to regulate the flow of air traffic when arrival and departure demands exceed capacity, a spokesperson for the air navigation system provider explained.
The President of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) said staffing issues are likely to impact travelers for the foreseeable future.
“We’re right in the midst of a retirement bubble and we lost people in COVID and it’s hard to recover,” said Nick Von Schoenberg, president of CATCA. “It takes time to train controllers so it’s going to be some time. This isn’t going to be the last problem we’re going to have this summer for sure.”
NAV Canada said its air traffic services training programs are being run at full capacity, with 400 employees in training and 600 more starting in the next two years, in an effort to address staffing shortages.
Later Saturday afternoon, YVR announced the operational issues with NAV Canada’s air navigation system had been resolved.
“Few arriving flights may still be impacted as the situation clears up,” YVR wrote on Twitter. “Please check the status of your flight with your airline for latest information.”
Earlier this month, several flights were also delayed at YVR due to operational issues with NAV Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Pickup truck driver killed by police after driving through Texas mall and injuring 5
A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store in Texas and continued through a busy mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said.
Unifor members ratify new agreement with Canadian National Railway
Unifor said on Sunday that its members at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, averting a potential strike action.
6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to suspected carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years
Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes.
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.