The federal government insists that Canada’s airports are getting much better in terms of delays and cancellations.
Government officials put out a release this week saying that, for the week of August 1-7, three per cent of flights planned for Canada’s top four airports were cancelled, compared to 12% over the same period in July.
From August 1-7, more than 85% of flights from the top four airports left on time, or within one hour of their scheduled departure. That’s up from 75% for the first week of July.
OTHER METRICS
Holding of aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport
* The number of aircraft being held on the tarmac at Toronto Pearson International Airport has decreased dramatically since early May.
* Over the last week of July, only 19 aircraft one per cent), were held on the tarmac, as compared to the peak of 373 the week of May 23- 29, 2022.
Passenger security screening wait times
* From August 1-7, 88% of passengers at the four largest airports were screened within 15 minutes by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), an improvement from 84% the previous week (July 25-31).
* Toronto Pearson International Airport: 88% for August 1-7.
* Vancouver International Airport: 84% for August 1-7.
* Montréal-Trudeau International Airport: 87% for August 1-7.
* Calgary International Airport: 89% for August 1-7.
The website flightaware.com shows roughly two per cent of both inbound and outbound flights at Toronto Pearson were cancelled on Wednesday. The site reports 229 delayed outbound flights (37%) and 221 delayed inbound flights (37%).
For Montreal Trudeau, the site shows six cancelled outbound flights on Thursday (one per cent) and 117 delayed outbound flights (37%). Vancouver had 93 inbound flights delayed (24%), flightaware reports.
The federal government also says making passengers sleep on floors of airports or making them feel unsafe as a result or a delayed or cancelled flight is “unacceptable.”
There were recent reports of passengers being forced to sleep on mats at Toronto Pearson due to a delayed flight.
The Government of Canada strongly encourages Canadians to know their rights when they travel by air under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations – these rules cover compensation requirements for all flight incidents that are considered within an air carrier’s control, including flights delayed or cancelled as a result of crew shortages. Through each part of their travel journey, passengers should document any incidents that occur as they may be eligible for compensation.
Additionally, as of September 8, 2022, amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations will come into force to ensure passengers are compensated for flight delays, cancellations, and other incidents that may be out of an air carrier’s control. This will ensure Canadian travellers are protected in nearly every circumstance.
Travellers have rights, and these must be respected by airlines and airports through each step of the travelling experience.
