Decreasing wait times at Canada’s airports

I know how frustrating the delays at airports have been for residents looking to travel. We are seeing similar congestion worldwide.

The Transport Minister has regularly met with leaders of the country’s largest airports and air carriers, and has met with the leaders of Air Canada and WestJet, in an effort to identify backlogs and opportunities for improvement.

The government has not asked air carriers to cancel or reduce the number of flights offered; air carriers are responsible for their own operational decisions. Nonetheless, we are working with airlines and airports to find solutions that will get travelers moving safely and smoothly.

Over 1000 new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority airport screening officials have been hired, surpassing summer hiring targets. This will help travelers move through the customs process faster and alleviate long lineups.

We are already seeing promising results because of these actions – less than 10% of departing passengers at Pearson are waiting for more than 15 minutes, compared to 23% in early May.

As wait times improve, we are working with airlines to find solutions for travelers who are experiencing other issues while traveling through Canada’s airports.