Air Traffic Controller Shortage Could Slow Canada's Summer Travel
Nav Canada faces a staffing gap of 200 controllers as busy travel season begins. The shortage has already caused cascading delays at major airports.
As Canadians prepare for summer travel, air traffic control faces a critical staffing shortage that could disrupt flights across the country.
Nav Canada operates with about 2,100 controllers on staff but remains approximately 200 short of target levels — a figure unchanged from earlier in the year. The gap is particularly acute at major hubs like Vancouver, where more than 200 flights were delayed and 23 cancelled during last year's Canada Day long weekend due to staffing shortfalls.
Marie-Pier Berman, Nav Canada's head of operations, acknowledged the challenge during a Tuesday briefing but said the organization has implemented measures to address it. The outfit has rehired more than 50 retired controllers on contract, launched incentive programs for high-demand shifts, and instituted blackout periods on vacation time during peak traffic. It's also recruiting experienced international controllers and developing new flight simulators for key towers.
The broader context makes this urgent: travel volumes are expected to rise several percentage points this summer versus last year, despite higher airfares caused by soaring jet fuel prices tied to the Iran war. Add the FIFA World Cup and other international events, and Canada's airports face a perfect storm of demand and constrained capacity.
"Safety will never be compromised," Berman said, "but let me be direct: no responsible organization can guarantee zero disruptions over the course of a summer."
The United States and Europe face proportionally larger controller shortages, but Canada's gap remains meaningful. For Toronto-area travellers headed out of Pearson or other major hubs, delays are likely — advance planning and flexibility will be essential.