Travel delays minimal at Region of Waterloo International Airport
The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) said while the delays and setbacks seen at several large airports across Canada are an industry-wide issue, the impacts are minimal in the region.
Staffing shortages, pilot shortages, and the influx of travellers are causing long lines and delayed flights at several airports and airlines, including Toronto Pearson and Air Canada.
“Airports around the world are experiencing pain,” said Chris Wood, general manager of the Region of Waterloo International Airport. “We’re not immune to that as well, we have our fair share of challenges here, with staffing and other issues, but not to the same extent as other airports.”
Wood said YKF’s biggest challenge is with staffing in several areas, including check-in, security screening and baggage handling.
However, Wood said the setbacks at the regional airport are minimal.
“We’ve had one delay in the last week or so. So it’s not what other airports are experiencing,” he said. “We are seeing people use the regional airport more and more because of the ease and less congestion. Our flights are full.”
Flair Airlines, the region’s largest partner said it’s also dealing with staffing challenges.
“I wish we could say we weren’t, but it’s an industry-wide problem,” said Stephen Jones, CEO of Flair. “The pilot shortage is really growing.”
Jones said luckily for Waterloo Region there’s a flight training school located on the airport grounds, which helps provide a lot of employment.
“It’s a smaller airport with great facilities now, so people can flow through here in 15 -20 minutes from landing instead of taking three hours to go through like some of those other airports. It’s a really great advantage to the region,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.