Hours-long lines at Vancouver airport after staff shortages

Many travellers had to endure hours-long lineups at Vancouver International Airport Sunday.

According to the airport, “CATSA’s contracted security screening provider” was experiencing staffing shortages, leading to the delays.

In videos shared with CityNews, lines could be seen winding through the airport. Many travellers took to social media to express their frustrations.

One Twitter user, Sandra, tweeted, “2 out of the 4 checkpoints are closed due staffing shortage. That line goes all the way to the Fairmont Hotel which is at the other end of the airport. Seems like CATSA employees are on a strike. No heads up from YVR.”

As of 1 p.m. Sunday, wait times on the YVR website showed waits of over an hour for some fliers. However, reports online suggested they were much longer.

The airport said passengers were seeing “longer than normal lines at screening points” and that its staff were trying to keep people moving along.

YVR wait times

(Photo credit: Vancouver International Airport)

Sunday’s ordeal was just the latest in airport delays caused by staffing shortages across the country.

Just over a week ago, federal Transport Minster Omar Alghabra tweeted that they had hired more CATSA workers to deal with shortages.

“CATSA screening officers are critical to ensuring Canada’s air transportation system is secure. Over 1,700 screening officers have been hired in recent months so that travellers can get through security screenings efficiently,” Alghabra said.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today