Flight delays for a third day at Vancouver International Airport

A shortage of air traffic controllers is causing widespread disruption of flight schedules in and out of YVR.

Delays that have plagued the Vancouver International Airport for the previous two days are set to continue into Wednesday, with no end in sight.

Shortages of NAV Canada resources, including flight controllers, have disrupted both incoming and outgoing flights at the city’s airport since 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.

“NAV Canada has indicated that air travel across the region, including at YVR, will continue to be impacted by staffing resource constraints at NAV Canada, the country’s air navigation service provider,” a spokesperson from YVR said at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“NAV Canada has not provided a timeframe in which the staffing resource constraints will be addressed.”

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson from Nav Canada confirmed a temporary Traffic Management Initiative has been put in place due to “personnel resource constraints.”

The TMI is in place to “maintain a safe flow of traffic” and ensure the “quantity of aircraft in a given airspace or airport remains manageable,” the spokesperson said.

“We regret the impact that the current TMI has had on the travelling public as we work to minimize impacts of the TMI and move towards a return to normal operations.”

The spokesperson said the Nav Canada team team is working to keep air traffic moving “safely and as efficiently” as possible.

In the meantime, passengers are advised to prepare for changes to their flights, including delays or cancellations.

“Passengers are encouraged to check latest flight status directly with their airline and must contact their airline for rebooking options,” the YVR spokesperson said.