A shortage of air traffic controllers in Canada has resulted in occasional closures of airport towers in Kelowna, B.C., and Winnipeg when the sole controller on duty takes a break, according to a memo provided to Air Canada pilots. Air Canada has advised its pilots to avoid these airports during severe staff shortages that lead to tower closures.
The frequency of airport closures and the official responses from the airports remain unclear as representatives have not yet commented on the issue. Nav Canada, the organization overseeing the country’s civil air navigation system, has informed airlines about anticipated air traffic control shortages at Winnipeg and Kelowna, with the possibility of extending to other airports.
Nav Canada stated that the closures in Winnipeg and Kelowna are scheduled during low-traffic periods to minimize disruptions and ensure operational safety and employee well-being. However, specific information regarding regular staffing levels at these towers was not provided.
These closures are part of a broader trend of air traffic controller shortages in North America, causing potential flight delays and increased operational costs for airlines. Affected flights in Canada may require extra fuel due to holding patterns or diversions resulting from staffing shortages.
In the United States, air traffic control staffing issues have been exacerbated by a recent government shutdown, leading to travel delays at multiple airports, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. President of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) Nick von Schoenberg mentioned that the airport closures in Canada aim to address fatigue-related concerns among controllers and highlight the system’s lack of resilience due to staffing challenges.
Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association in Canada representing Air Canada pilots, emphasized the need to address the instability caused by ongoing shortages in air traffic controllers. Perry stated that these shortages are causing delays at various airports across Canada and must be resolved promptly.
