A deficiency in air traffic controllers in Canada is causing occasional closures of airport towers in Kelowna, B.C., and Winnipeg when the lone controller on duty takes a break, according to a memo to Air Canada pilots disclosed by Reuters. Air Canada advised its pilots in the memo dated October 14 to steer clear of the two airports during severe staff shortages that lead to tower closures.
The frequency of airport closures and their representatives’ response to requests for comment remain unclear. Nav Canada, responsible for managing the country’s civil air navigation system, has informed airlines that air traffic control shortages will affect Winnipeg and Kelowna and could potentially extend to other airports, as stated in the memo.
Nav Canada declared in a statement on Thursday that the planned closures at Winnipeg and Kelowna occur during low-traffic periods to minimize disruptions and ensure safety and employee well-being. However, specific information on normal staffing levels at these towers was not provided.
These closures represent the latest example of a shortage of air traffic controllers in North America causing potential flight delays and increased expenses for airlines. Affected flights in Canada may require extra fuel to accommodate holding patterns or diversions due to controller staffing shortages, the memo indicated.
Concerns over air traffic control staffing are heightened in the United States due to a government shutdown, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting travel delays at multiple airports. Nick von Schoenberg, president of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA), mentioned that the airport closures in Canada extend beyond Winnipeg and Kelowna, aiming to offer fatigue-related breaks for controllers. He expressed that the closures underscore the system’s lack of resilience due to staffing challenges.
Tim Perry, the president of the Air Line Pilots Association in Canada representing Air Canada pilots, emphasized the importance of addressing the instability caused by shortages. He highlighted ongoing air traffic controller shortages resulting in delays at various Canadian airports.
