Staff shortages at Kelowna and Winnipeg airports are causing periodic closures, according to a memo sent to Air Canada pilots. The memo warns that when the single air-traffic controller on duty takes a break, the airport towers may have to close, leading to potential flight delays and added costs for carriers. Nav Canada, which manages the country's civil air navigation system, has advised airlines that these shortages will occur, and the situation could expand to other airports. The closures are a result of a broader North American shortfall of air-traffic controllers, which has caused travel delays and increased fuel consumption for affected flights in Canada. The issue is particularly concerning in the United States due to a government shutdown, where the Federal Aviation Administration has reported travel delays at several airports. The Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) president, Nick von Schoenberg, emphasizes that these closures are intended to provide fatigue-related breaks for controllers, indicating a lack of resilience in the system due to staffing challenges. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association in Canada, calls for addressing the lack of stability caused by shortages. The memo also mentions that Air Canada has added four U.S. routes from Toronto's Billy Bishop, sparking a discussion on the impact of foreign airline competition on Canadian skies.
