Air Canada Flight Disruptions Canada Day Weekend
The Canada Day long weekend was a period of frustration for many Air Canada passengers. Nearly 2,000 flights were delayed or cancelled, affecting more than half of all trips by the Air Canada flight disruptions. This includes flights by its lower-cost branch, Air Canada Rouge, and regional partner, Jazz Aviation.
According to FlightAware, a tracking service, the Air Canada disruptions from Saturday through Monday affected more than 52% of scheduled flights.
This stands in stark contrast to other Canadian carriers like WestJet, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines, which experienced fewer disruptions.
The Canada flight disruptions led to long lines and crowded terminals at airports in Toronto and Montreal. Passengers took to social media to express their frustrations about late departures and customer service.
In response, Air Canada highlighted that the air travel sector is currently experiencing its summer peak, with over 140,000 customers boarding their planes daily.
The Reasons Behind the Air Canada Flight Disruptions
John Gradek, a teacher at McGill University’s aviation management program. Explained that the Air Canada flight disruptions figures have been increasing over the past few weeks.
The crowded flight schedules and crew shortages during the peak season make it harder to find a spare plane or pilot when each aircraft is flying more.
Additionally, Air Canada is operating a tighter schedule after the industry-wide revenue collapse caused by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Air Canada flight disruptions have had a significant impact on passengers, with many facing delays or cancellations. The airline is fully staffed, with more employees than in the summer of 2019, despite running fewer flights.
However, the disruptions have raised questions about the airline’s ability to recover quickly from unexpected issues, especially when operating at full capacity. As the summer travel season continues, passengers are bracing for potential further disruptions.